In a significant development affecting board examination preparations, a group of concerned parents from New Delhi approached the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Wednesday, seeking urgent intervention. Their primary concern revolves around the potential withholding of crucial examination documents for their children studying in Class X and XII at Salwan Public School, Mayur Vihar Phase-III.
Allegations of Academic Prejudice Over Fee Dispute
The parents' representation to CBSE centers on what they describe as an "arbitrary, exorbitant and unapproved 57% hike" in school fees implemented over just two academic years. They allege this situation is causing "grave academic prejudice and severe mental distress" to students preparing for the upcoming board examinations.
One parent explicitly stated, "The school hiked the fees by 57% over just two academic years. This increase was neither approved by Delhi government's department of education nor does it comply with applicable fee-regulation norms and directions issued by courts and the directorate of education."
Legal Challenges and Departmental Orders
The parents claim the fee hike is mired in serious dispute and ongoing legal challenges. They revealed that the education department has already issued three specific orders along with a show-cause notice to the school regarding alleged coercive measures against students for recovery of outstanding dues.
Despite these interventions, parents assert that school management continues to pressure them through additional show-cause notices, threatening to strike their children's names off the school rolls—a move they consider particularly distressing during critical examination periods.
School Administration's Counter-Arguments
School principal Richa Sharma Katyal firmly denied all allegations regarding the withholding of admit cards. "The students haven't been denied admit cards. It's just that we are yet to download the cards," she clarified.
Addressing the fee hike controversy directly, Katyal stated, "There has been no arbitrary or exorbitant fee increase. Certain parents insist on paying fees according to the 2015-16 structure, which is untenable for the school to function in 2025-26 on a fee structure fixed a decade earlier."
Financial Justifications and Parental Compliance
The principal provided detailed context, explaining that between 2015-16 and 2023-24, the school did not revise its fees despite continuously rising operational costs. During this entire period, she noted that all audited financial statements were duly submitted annually to the directorate of education.
"Over 90% of the parents acknowledged the school's financial situation and complied with the revised fee structure," Katyal emphasized. "A very small minority, though, continues to insist on paying fees at the 2015-16 rates, despite judicial clarity, repeated communication and full financial disclosure on our part."
Violation of CBSE Affiliation Bylaws Alleged
Parents countered the school's position by calling its actions "illegal, coercive and unethical." They specifically highlighted what they believe constitutes a clear violation of CBSE affiliation bylaws, which explicitly prohibit schools from debarring students or denying them Board-related rights due to fee disputes.
"Students cannot be penalised for a financial dispute between parents and the school management," the parents collectively asserted, emphasizing the principle that academic progression should remain separate from financial disagreements.
Directorate of Education's Advisory
Adding weight to the parents' position, a January 28 order from the directorate of education explicitly stated, "an advisory was issued to the school... it was directed not to withhold the result of any student, not to deny them marksheets, not to discriminate and not to strike off the names of such students whose parents didn't pay arrears of the hiked fees, which are not approved by government."
This ongoing dispute highlights the complex intersection of educational rights, institutional finances, and regulatory oversight in Delhi's private school ecosystem, with board examination preparations adding urgency to the resolution process.
