Delhi Govt prohibits private schools from charging any extra other than tuition fees

Earlier on Apr 17 and 18, the Delhi government directed the same, therefore, by the fresh order from the Delhi government has directed the private schools to maintain the status quo.

"All the Private un-aided recognised schools were directed no fee, except tuition fees will be charged from the parents during the lockdown period. Annual and development charges can be charged from the parents. On pro-rata basis and only on a monthly basis after completion of the lockdown period. No eamarked levies such as transportation charges etc will be charged from the parents during the opened the schools remains closed," the order from the education department to the private school noted.

"In no case, the schools shall demand and collect the above-mentioned fees from the parents or students on a quarterly basis. This means that the fees will be collected on a monthly basis only," it said.

The order further directed, "Not to increase any fee in the academic session 2020-21 till further directions irrespective of the fact whether or not the school is running on the private land or the land allotted by DDA or other govt land-owning agencies."

"The schools running on the land owned by the DDA or other govt land-owning agencies with the condition to seek approval of Director Education before any fee increase shall collect the above-mentioned fees on the basis of last fee structure approved by Director Education," it added.

"The schools shall provide access of online education material or classes to all students without any discrimination. The schools should provide ID and password for online access to teaching materials," the order said.

The order also directed, "Heads of the schools shall in no case deny ID and Password to those students parents for getting online educational facility/classes materials etc to those students who are unable to pay the school fee due to financial crisis in view of the ongoing lockdown."

"Managing Committee of the schools or heads of the schools shall not put extra financial burden by creating any new head of fee. The schools shall neither stop payment of monthly salary to reduce the rusting total emolument to the teaching and non-teaching staff of the school in the name of non-availability of funds and arrange the funds in case of any shortfalls from the society or trust running the school," it said.

The order observed, "A number of complaints being received, not only from parents of the students but also from other corners alleging that many private unaided recognized schools of Delhi have started charging under many other heads other than the tuition fees like Annual Charge, development charge etc, in contravention to the directions issued by Directorate of Education vide order on April 17 and April 18 such act is a violation of the above directions."

"Such act of the schools a not only in the clear violation of the above said directions issued vide order dated April, 2020 and subsequently dated April 18, 2020 but an inhumane act on their part keeping in view the prevailing COVID-2019 pandemic conditions and long closure of schools. The attention in the regard is invited that these schools run by trusts and charitable societies, hence as per their memorandum of article are supposed ways to keep in mind the charity and providing of education to the students without indulging in profiteering," the order read.

The Delhi government-directed, "To comply with the directions issued vide order dated April 18, 2020, in its totality. If any Private Unaided Recognised School has charged fees/amount other than the tuition fees in contravention of the order dated April 18. The same shall be refunded or adjusted immediately."

"It is again reiterated that no amount other than the tuition fee or any increased amount in tuition fee in contravention of the order dated April 18, 2020, shall be charged by any private school.

The schools can collect the Tuition fee in accordance to order dated 18 04-2020, as well as the order of Hon'ble High Court, dated April 24, 2020," Delhi government said.

The order concluded by noting that the order should be followed "Strictly in letter and spirit. Failing which action shall be taken against the defaulter schools under Section 24 of Delhi School Education Act & Rules, 1973 or other applicable law."