Delhi Private School Sparks Controversy with Fee Dispute Notices to Parents
In a contentious development in east Delhi, Salwan Public School has issued formal show-cause notices to multiple parents, alleging significant outstanding fee payments. The school has demanded clarification within five days on why their children should not be removed from the student rolls due to these purported dues, escalating a simmering conflict over financial obligations.
School Cites Procedural Compliance Amid Parental Outcry
The show-cause notice explicitly references Rule No 35(1)(a) and Rule No 167 of the Delhi School Education Act and Rules (DSEAR), 1973, as the legal basis for its action. According to the document, fee dues accumulated to Rs 38,910 per student as of January 31, 2026, with the school claiming to have provided repeated verbal, telephonic, and email reminders prior to this formal step.
Principal Richa Sharma Katyal defended the move, stating, "These parents did not clear their fee dues throughout the year despite repeated requests and communications. While ninety-two percent of parents are paying fees regularly, a small group insists on paying the 2025-26 fees based on the 2015-16 slab, which is not permissible." She emphasized that the notices represent a standard procedural measure following exhaustive attempts to recover the outstanding amounts.
Parents Allege Unjust Demands and Lack of Transparency
Affected parents, however, vehemently contest the school's claims. One parent revealed that approximately 115 students are impacted, with nearly 50 having received the notice so far. "We have been regularly paying the fee structure approved by the Directorate of Education," the parent asserted. "When the school refused to accept cheques, we even paid online and submitted proof. The school is now showing accumulated dues without clarifying the calculation period, leaving us confused and anxious."
Another parent expressed frustration over the tight deadline, noting, "We have been given only five days to respond, or our child's name may be struck off. This pressure is unfair, especially when we believe we have complied with the approved fee requirements." Parents question the inclusion of additional amounts as dues, arguing that they have adhered to the officially sanctioned payment plan.
Broader Implications for Education Governance and Parent-School Relations
This dispute highlights ongoing tensions in Delhi's educational landscape regarding fee structures, transparency, and enforcement mechanisms. The reference to DSEAR rules underscores the legal framework governing such conflicts, yet the interpretation and application remain contentious. The situation raises critical questions about:
- The adequacy of communication between schools and parents on financial matters
- The role of the Directorate of Education in mediating fee-related disputes
- The procedural fairness of show-cause notices with short response times
- The potential impact on students' academic continuity and psychological well-being
As both sides prepare for further discussions, the outcome may set a precedent for how similar fee disputes are handled across private schools in the capital. The parents' collective action and the school's adherence to procedural norms will likely influence future interactions, emphasizing the need for clearer guidelines and more robust dispute-resolution mechanisms in the education sector.
