Education Minister Manish Sisodia has written to the Directorate of Education (DoE) to ensure that no school refuses a board examination admit card to students over non-payment of “hiked” school fees.
“Some schools are using the threat of non-issuance of board examination admit cards to force parents to pay hiked school fees and arrears. I have received complaints from several distraught parents about harassment from schools,” said Mr. Sisodia.
Stating that private unaided schools can increase fees only after verification of accounts is complete, he said some schools were charging excess fees as well as arrears from parents.
Complaints received
The Minister added that complaints were received regarding Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s Mehta Vidyalaya, K.G. Marg; The Indian School, Sadiq Nagar; and Blue Bells International School, Kailash Colony. He said the DoE must ensure that all students of the three schools receive their admit cards without delay.
“The DoE should look into the matter urgently and send an action taken report to my office within 24 hours since the nature of the problem is time-sensitive,” wrote Mr. Sisodia.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) had earlier this week clarified that schools cannot withhold admit cards of students on any pretext, including poor performance of students in pre-board examinations.
The CBSE Classes X and XII examinations start on March 5.
