Shri Ram school in fee row

The Shri Ram School could land into trouble because of a recent circular it posted, informing parents of a 30 per cent fee hike. Ritika Chopra reports.

The Shri Ram School could land into trouble because of a recent circular it posted, informing parents of a 30 per cent fee hike.

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The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), which has independent junior schools under its purview, reacted sharply to the school’s notice. The school’s junior wing is in Vasant Vihar.

The school authorities will be issued a showcause notice soon, Vijendra Gupta, chairman, standing committee, MCD, told Hindustan Times. “We will ask the school to explain why such a notice was issued without any consultation. We will withdraw our recognition if the authorities fail to justify the move.”

The school circular, dated January 16, asked parents to pay Rs 23,640 to clear the salary arrears of teachers. The annual fee has also been increased from Rs 48,000 to Rs 68,000. The senior wing has already implemented the new fee structure as it is under the Haryana state administration.

Manju Bharat Ram, chairperson of Shri Ram Trust that runs the Shri Ram Schools, said the MCD was informed of its proposal in December and January.

“The new fee structure was passed by our managing committee, which has an MCD representative and five parents among its members. The MCD can go ahead and serve us a notice. We will reply to it because I know we are in the right,” she said.

Parents, however, said such a hike was unwarranted. “It is like funding another child’s education,” said a parent, requesting anonymity.

But Bharat Ram said the hike was required to meet expenses. “We have been paying our teachers as per the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations since September without increasing the students’ fee. It’s high time we are at least allowed to inform parents of the increase,” added Ram.

The education department also seems keen on taking action against the school though Shri Ram is not under their purview.

“The school has not enforced the new fee structure yet and so right now we cannot take any action. We will, however, issue a showcause notice the moment we receive a complaint,” said Delhi education minister Arvinder Singh Lovely.