NEW DELHI: In a relief to parents in the national capital, the Delhi government on Monday restricted private schools from charging any fee other than the tuition fee in the Covid-induced lockdown period.
As per the order of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Deputy CM Manish Sisodia has directed private-unaided schools to charge only the tuition fee during the lockdown and not charge under any other head.
“All private unaided recognized schools were directed to charge only the tuition fee during the lockdown period” said the order.
There was a similar order from the Directorate of Education (DoE) in April, but the directives come in view of rising number of complaints received by the government.
According to the DoE, even after the earlier order, the parents had complained against many private schools charging fees under annual and development heads.
The order said if a school has already charged a fee other than the tuition fee in the lockdown period, then it should be refunded immediately. “Annual and development charges can be charged from the parents on a pro-rata basis and only on a monthly basis after completion of the lockdown period. Earmarked levies such as transportation charges etc will not be charged,” said the order.
It also says schools will not stop monthly salaries in the name of non-availability of funds. “If a school fails to follow the direction, action will be taken against it under Section 24 of the Delhi School Education Act and rules.”
Parents have been opposing fees
Earlier, the parents association of a private school in Greater Kailash II had challenged fees charged, in a court. The association had sought a stay on the fee issued by the school in July, which included annual and development charges.