JOIN USDelhi govt takes over 2 branches of pvt school
The Delhi government on Wednesday took over two branches of a private school after seeking approval from LT Governor Najeeb jung after several complaints against it.
The action against Maxfort School in Pitampura and Rohini, which is a first by the Delhi government on any private unaided school, came after complaints of financial bungling, violations in rules in admission to students from Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) category, false records, etc.
It had earlier in April issued show cause notices to the two branches asking them why the schools should not be taken over by the government.
The notice which was given to school on Wednesday morning said that the school has “neglected to perform” its duties and “failed to run the school in the best interest of education of the children and the conditions prevailing need immediate intervention”.
It also said that it was not satisfied with the responses by the two branches and that they failed to co-operate with the inspection teams constituted by the Directorate of Education (DoE). During the inspection, the government had given personal hearings to the schools as directed by the Delhi High Court.
The school has four branches in Delhi and is currently being run by a charitable trust. After the taking over is complete, the government will appoint an administrator to run the school. The government authorities clarified that the school will remain private and there will be no change in staff but just the management will be taken over.
According to sources, the school has approached the Delhi High Court asking for a stay order in the case. The school authorities were unavailable for comment on Wednesday.
The Parents Association of both the schools had filed a complaint last year in November with the Education Department, alleging various irregularities and violations of Delhi School Education and Rules (DSEAR), 1973 such as unjustified fee hike, money laundering, formation of fake trusts/societies for receiving capitation fee against fee admissions, asking donations during admissions, etc.
Following this, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who also holds the Education portfolio, directed District Magistrate of North West to enquire into the allegations and a committee was set up on December 21 last year to probe the malpractices.
According to the report submitted by the committee on January 7, 2016, there were violations of the provision of Right to Education Act in the admission of EWS-DG category for 2014-15 and 2015-16 in Rohini branch and for 2015-16 in Pitampura, as the number of such seats filled were far below than the required 25 per cent of the total strength of the class.