Govt forms panel to look into overcharging by pvt school

A five-member committee, formed by the district magistrate (northwest), will examine the complaints and submit a report to the CM.

The Delhi government on Monday formed a panel to look into complaints against a private school that it struck down the names of 27 students from its rolls because of non-payment of fees. The action against Maxfort School, Rohini, came after parents of the affected students complained to chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. The five-member committee, formed by the district magistrate (northwest), will examine the complaints and submit a report to the CM.

The Delhi government on Monday formed a panel to look into complaints against a private school that it struck down the names of 27 students from its rolls because of non-payment of fees. (Courtesy/Maxfort School)

“We have paid the tuition fees regularly, but we have just refused to pay the activity charges and development charges. When there are no activities for the children why should we pay? The school gave us a bill of Rs. 40,000 and asked us to pay. When we didn’t, they struck down my child’s name. He was not allowed to sit in the classroom for almost 10 days,” said a parent whose child studies in Class 1. The notice was sent through her son. As the parents protested, the school took the children back after 10 days. But parents were allegedly asked to sign an undertaking.

“We were asked to sign an undertaking that we will clear all the dues by January 31, 2016, failing which they will strike down the names of our ward. Even the high court had directed that such fees cannot be charged, but since 2013, the school has been arbitrarily increasing the fees,” said another parent.

He was referring to a court order against the school’s Pitampura branch in 2013.But the school said the order was not applicable to the Rohini branch.

“The schools are run by different societies. So, the high court ruling does not govern us. We had to take such step as it is not only these 27 parents, but there are 250 of them who have not paid the fees. How will the school run and how will we pay our teachers’ salary?” said HS Sachdeva, member of the Mohini Chandani Charitable Trust, the society which runs the school.