Dehradun School Handover: Parents Seek PM's Intervention
Parents of students at RAV School in Dehradun, previously operated by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), have appealed to the Prime Minister for intervention after the school was abruptly transferred to a private trust. The sudden change has left parents, teachers, and students in a state of distress.
Sudden Change in Ownership
Parents and teachers reported becoming aware of the ownership change earlier this week when the school's signboard was replaced. Many expressed shock at the lack of prior notification. "A school's ownership cannot be changed overnight. Stakeholders should have been informed. Nobody told us about this when we came to collect results or during the session break," said Archana Sharma, parent of a Class 6 student. She added that many parents are now considering transferring their children to other schools.
Teachers Face Uncertain Future
Teachers, some with decades of service, were also not informed about the management change. "We have been told that the new management will not pay us our previous salaries, and many of us may face deductions of more than 50%. This is after serving here for decades. The school started in 1993, and I have been here since 1999. How can we be treated this way without even being informed?" said Preeti Sharma, an environmental science teacher.
The emotional toll on staff is significant, as they grapple with potential pay cuts and job insecurity. Parents also worry about the school's future. "There was a certain educational standard under the DRDO school. Can the new trust maintain that? For now, they are continuing with the same uniform, curriculum, and fees, but that may change," they said.
Letter to Prime Minister
In their letter to the Prime Minister, parents urged the central government to step in. "For the past 30 years, this school has operated successfully under DRDO and has been affiliated with CBSE. Overnight, a new signboard was put up. Without any prior notice, everyone from the gatekeeper to the principal and teachers was replaced. This sudden change has caused severe psychological stress to students and parents. The academic session has already begun. When everything was proceeding normally, why was such a decision taken in the middle of the session?" the letter read.
The letter highlighted that most students come from middle- or lower-middle-class families. "It is impossible for us to afford the high fees of private schools. Teachers who have devoted decades to the school have been left without support. As a result, the future of around 150 children is uncertain. When parents approached senior DRDO officials, they cited lack of funds. Is it possible that such a large organisation cannot sustain a school of 150 students?" it said.
Legal Battle and DRDO Response
Meanwhile, teachers are pursuing a case in the Delhi High Court over arrears under the 7th Pay Commission. "The next hearing is on May 21. Such a step during an ongoing case amounts to contempt. The school had stopped admissions in 2021 citing lack of funds. After nearly three years, admissions resumed in 2025, and now this has happened. This is affecting the future of students," said Arif Khan, president of the National Association for Parents and Students Rights.
A senior DRDO official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, "We are holding meetings with all stakeholders, including the new management, to ensure a smooth transition. The only issue is pay disparity for teachers, and efforts are being made to resolve it."
