Apeejay School’s fee hike rejected by govt after audit
In a press conference held on Saturday, deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and Greater Kailash MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj said the government had decided to audit the accounts of Apeejay School, Sheikh Sarai.
The Delhi government said Saturday it had passed an order against a private school in south Delhi rejecting their proposed fee hike for the 2018-19 and 2019-20 academic sessions, asking them to instead refund the “excess fee” already collected from students.
In a press conference held on Saturday, deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and Greater Kailash MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj said the government had decided to audit the accounts of Apeejay School, Sheikh Sarai, (during the financial years 2012-13 and 2018-19) around three months ago on the basis of complaints made by parents who
opposed the proposed 10%-25% fee hike.
Talking about the findings of the audit report, Sisodia said the school had an estimated surplus amount of about ₹30.85 crore. “The total funds available for the year 2018-2019 amount to about ₹49,72,45,586, of which cash outflow in the year 2018-2019 is estimated to be ₹18,87,02,422. This results in a net surplus of ₹30,85,43,164,” read a copy of the order issued Thursday.
“They did not take permission or intimate the government of their decision to hike the fee. Despite the surplus, teachers were not being paid as per the seventh pay recommendations ,” Sisodia said.
“We found out that even during the 2018-19 session, the school got an extra amount of ₹2.09 crore illegally, which they still have. We have ordered that this amount has to be either returned to the parents or they have to be intimated that the amount would be adjusted in the fee to be paid in future,”
Delhi education minister Sisodia said.
“Around ₹10.13 crore was spent on purchasing land in Panchsheel Enclave and ₹3.48 crore was spent on building a commercial complex on it. Money collected as fee was used to buy these commercial units and now the rent is going to their trust,” Sisodia said. The education minister also said that the school was required to rectify financial as well as other irregularities listed in the report and submit the compliance report within 30 days.
“We are yet to receive the order, but please be notified that the school shall take appropriate measures to defend and safeguard the interest and reputation of its students and stakeholders, as well as follow what is true and right,” principal Ritu Mehta said in response to questions by HT.
The management of the school has also been directed to not increase any fee/charges during 2018-19 and 2019-20 session and “make necessary adjustments from future fee/refund the amount of excess fee already collected from students, as per the convenience of parents.”