AAP govt launches complaint centre against private schools

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With several parents protesting the arbitrary functioning of schools, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi has decided to launch a complaint centre.

According to a government statement, "The office of this Private Schools Complaint Centre will be based at the New Delhi/Central Delhi District Education Office, Room Number 2, Plot number 5, Jhandewalan, New Delhi. In addition to this office, the parents and concerned citizens can also e-mail their grievances at [email protected]."

Explaining the move, the statement said, "Some schools had sought approval of the Delhi government for fee hike, but the government has not given its approval so far. Therefore, if any school has hiked its fees, it is liable for government action."

About 150 parents had complained about the arbitrary hike in school fees to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on 13 April.

State education minister Manish Sisodia later tweeted, "Schools cannot increase fees without taking prior permission from the Delhi government. The government will take strict action in this regard."

The Delhi High Court and state's Directorate of Education had earlier passed an order stating private schools that received DDA land cannot increase fees without permission.

Meanwhile, according to a report in The Hindustan Times, a Delhi court has ordered a verification in private schools on reports of parents using fake documents for admission under the economically weaker sections (EWS) category in private schools.

Currently, schools have to set aside 25 per cent seats for students from EWS under the Right To Education Act.