Don't misuse fee concession rules: HC

The Delhi High Court has warned well-off parents against trying to evade fees by misusing concession rules meant for students from the economically weaker sections in unaided private schools.

The Delhi High Court has warned well-off parents against trying to evade fees by misusing concession rules meant for students from the economically weaker sections in unaided private schools.

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"Today, education is empowerment and with a view that the poor and the disadvantaged groups are not left behind, a duty has been cast upon private schools to provide fee concession to the deserving students, but this does not mean that parents responsible to provide education to their children put the burden on the school," said Justice Kailash Gambhir.

"Parents cannot shirk away from their duty in the garb of belonging to the weaker sections of society and as a matter of right demand concessions from schools," the court said.

The court's remarks came as it dismissed a plea by the father of a student of Mahavir Senior Model School, who wanted a direction to grant his daughter a fee concession. He claimed he belonged to the economically weaker sections and had a monthly income of Rs 4,000.

But the school produced proof that the father — a music and painting teacher — had a monthly income of Rs 10,000 per month and owned a house in a prime Delhi locality.

"This is classic example of a parent, who is educated and a professional, does not wish to pay for the education of his child, and falsely claims to be a man of no means and wants to realize the education of his child through the portals of law. It is nothing but an exploitation of the beneficial social legislations and an abuse of the court of law, besides an assault on the opportunities of the ones truly deserving these concessions," said Justice Gambhir.

The court directed the man to immediately pay fee arrears of Rs 59,574 and allowed the school to action against the student if it is not paid.