Students made to sit in library, separate PTMs held: Parents allege 'harassment' in DPS Delhi branches

Earlier this week, around 50 parents of DPS Dwarka students filed a complaint with the DOE alleging that the school in an email on March 13 threatened to strike the names of their children from the rolls if the fee hikes were not met with.

Students studying in Delhi Public School (DPS) branches at Vasant Kunj, Rohini, and Dwarka are reportedly being made to miss classes amid parents' concerns over the sudden increase in the school fee.

“Today was the first class for my child… To our horror… they had to sit in the library the entire day and were not allowed to sit for any classes. Attendants accompanied the children to… the washrooms… A few classmates bullied my child, asking ‘Can’t your father afford to pay the school fees?’” a parent whose child studies in class 10 told The Indian Express.

The parents reportedly believe that the increase in fee was made without adhering to the Directorate of Education (DoE) norms, and this dispute has been raging since last year.

Earlier this week, around 50 parents of DPS Dwarka students filed a complaint with the DOE alleging that the school in an email on March 13 threatened to strike the names of their children from the rolls if the hikes were not met with.

The publication even quoted some of the parents as saying that separate PTMs were held for parents of class IX and XI students who paid the fees, whereas, the parents who did not pay the hiked fee did not even get the progress report. Parents have reported that their children are feeling scared and many guardians have agreed to pay the fee "out of fear".

Meanwhile, the national child rights body has written to the Deputy Director of Education (Southwest) following complaints from parents regarding an alleged fee hike at a private school in Vasant Kunj, Delhi.

In its notice, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) said that it has received complaints from several parents alleging that the school has increased fees without the approval of the Directorate of Education (DoE).

However, there was no immediate response available from the school authority regarding these allegations.

"Students should not be harassed over fees and their academic progress should not be disrupted," the NCPCR said.

The commission has directed the district education officer to investigate the matter and submit an action taken report within 15 days.

(With PTI inputs)