TAASIR :– S M HASSAN –13 JULY
*A Historical Order to Protect the Constitution and Rules, and to Stop the Arbitrary Actions of DPS Dwarka and Other Private Schools: *
*New Delhi (Dwarka Sub-city):* DPS Dwarka arbitrarily expelled 26 students for not paying UNAPPROVED hiked fees. Parents have been raising their voices against this arbitrary action for years and requesting the Directorate of Education(DOE) to enforce their orders/rules, but they have failed so far. Parents appealed to DDE SW-B, Najafgarh, and the headquarters of the Directorate of Education, Delhi, multiple times to reinstate these children’s names, submitted memoranda, and held protests, but found no solution other than verbal assurances. Exhausted, the parents knocked on the doors of the High Court.
The High Court, in its interim order under the Fundamental Rights of Education, Right to Education, and DSEAR Act 1973, has put a stop to DPS Dwarka’s arbitrary actions, which is a historic decision for parents across the country and a lesson for every private institution in India, as well as a protector of constitutional and fundamental rights for parents.
Let’s hear from the parents about how they feel and what they have to say after fighting against this tyranny for years, putting everything on the line.
Divya Mattey shared that it is a matter of great joy and pride that the Delhi High Court has prudently listened to and understood the truth and provided relief to those parents who have been seeking justice for the last 4 years against the unjust fees demanded by DPS Dwarka. The school crossed all limits of greed by forcibly collecting rejected fees and mentally torturing minor children by expelling them and making them sit in the library.
Somender Yadav said that his daughter, who studies in 10th class, had her name cut off despite always paying the approved fees on time, which severely affected the atmosphere at their home and other parents’ homes as well. They even expelled some 10th class students and did not allow them to sit for the pre-mid exams organized by the school. The High Court’s order is a victory for justice for us and all parents in the country.
Mahesh Mishra, a parent, social worker, and Secretary of the Federation of South and West District Welfare Forum, Delhi, stated that this order is a victory for those who believe in the judiciary and a lesson for DPS Dwarka’s arbitrary actions. We express our gratitude to all the aware parents and media groups who selflessly supported us and raised our voices.
*Key Points of the High Court’s Order:*
– The school has been instructed to take only 50% of the increased fees from parents.
– The court is reviewing whether the school should be taken under LG’s control due to serious violations of the DSEAR Act-1973.
– Hon’ble Justice Swarn Kant Sharma even asked the respondents why a rule nisi should not be issued.
– The court acknowledged the parents’ argument that the fees are unapproved and, as per WPC 4109/2013 Delhi High Court’s Divisional Bench order, this fee cannot be collected.
– The court directed the respondents – DOE, DPS, and DDA to file their counter affidavits for final hearing of the matter.
The current order has raised hopes of curbing uncontrolled corruption in private schools due to DOE’s inactivity.
You have heard the pain and demands of these parents, so let’s discuss the main cause and their demands!
The main cause is the Directorate of Education officials’ failure to make timely decisions and enforce their orders.
*Parents’ Demands:*
. The Directorate of Education’s fee rejection order, issued on May 22, primarily pointed out that the school does not lack funds and there are irregularities in the accounts. Therefore, we request the Enforcement Directorate to take cognizance of this and immediately investigate all accounts of the DPS Society.
- The time limit for the proposal and resolution of fee hikes should be completed before the admission process for the new academic session.
- A forensic audit should be made mandatory in the fee hike proposal.
- The Directorate of Education should supervise and videograph elections for parent representatives in the PTA as per DOE rules in all Delhi schools, as currently schools choose them arbitrarily. About a hundred parents have been complaining to the DOE since last year, but the response from Savita Drall, DDE, SW-B, Najafgarh, has been that they asked the school, and the school said they are following all rules. This is akin to asking a thief if they stole, and the thief saying no. Savita Drall is a senior officer, and such responses necessitate an immediate investigation by the Vigilance Department.
- The management quota reserved for schools should be inspected annually by the DOE and the Vigilance Department to ensure there is no trading of seats. All details of students admitted under the management quota should be published separately on the school’s website annually.
If the Directorate of Education is unable to fulfill the above demands, the DOE officials should be removed from their positions, and their work should be investigated by the Vigilance Department and the Enforcement Directorate to ensure that corrupt and negligent officials are punished for not performing their duties.
We have previously published the pain and demands of these parents in our publication on ____ and will continue to stand with these aggrieved parents/students and raise their voices until they receive justice.