Delhi private schools send ‘hiked’ bills for fees

admin August 10, 2020August 10, 2020 0 Comments Delhi Government, Delhi private schools, delhi public school, hiked fees, parents of private school students, tuition fee

NEW DELHI: Parents of private school students were quite surprised to receive demands for charges other than tuition fees because they were under the impression that only tuitions would be billed, as ordered in April for the lockdown period by Delhi government. The order instructed educational institutions not to levy charges such as development or annual fees.

In contravention of such orders, Delhi Public School, Vasant Kunj, sent parents a bill this month that had gone up from Rs 5,990 earlier to Rs 8,330. “There was no notice given to us about an increase,” said a parent of two children. “Even if the school was levying additional charges from August, they should have informed us. Last month, we paid for the worksheet, now this has been sprung on us.” This school hasn’t provided the different heads under which it has charged the increased fee.

Principal Bindu Sehgal did not respond to calls and messages regarding the matter.

Some institutions fees have increased the bills under the heads of PTA fund, scholarship fund, operational charges, technology fees, development fees and annual charges. Darbari Lal DAV Model School sent a notice to parents on August 6 informing of changes in the structure and process of fee payment. “Apart from tuition fees, we are going to charge annual charges, the total amount being divided on a pro-rata basis over the remaining eight months,” principal Reena Rajpal notified the parents. “For those who paid the full fee amount in April, their annual charges will be nil for August and September. From October, the balance of annual charges will be charged for the remaining six months Development fund will also be received on pro-rata basis.” Rajpal did not respond to calls and messages about the fees.

A parent grumbled, “We don’t know how Delhi government’s guideline has now become ineffective. A clarification from the government will be helpful.” Aparajita Gautam of Delhi Parents’ Association said, “Every day we receive complaints from parents because school now say the government circular was only for the lockdown period. In my understanding, the unlocking is still under process.”

While education department officials did not respond to TOI’s queries regarding this issue, Action Committee, an umbrella body representing the city’s private schools, insisted the institutions were following the government guidelines.

Advocate for Action Committee Kamal Gupta said, “It is a very simple reading of the order that the schools have done. One, no fees other than tuition fees will be charged from parents during the lockdown. Annual and development charges will be charged after the completion of the lockdown. Thirdly, no earmarked levy such as transportation will be charged during the period the school remains closed. The order is worded very clearly.”