Three Presidium schools renamed as Prudence over ‘revenue dispute’
We have neither received nor demanded any franchisee fee from the schools.
SUDHA GUPTA, Chairperson of Presidium We were receiving many complaints against the Presidium franchiser.
G S MATHAROO, chairperson, Prudence Schools
NEW DELHI: Parents of children studying in three branches of Presidium schools — Ashok Vihar, and Dwarka sector 22 and sector 12-B — were left surprised after the names of the institutions were changed to “Prudence schools” last week.
The names were changed following a tussle between the managements of these three schools and Presidium, the franchiser.
Last week, parents of students of the Dwarka 22 branch received a circular from the chairperson of the renamed Prudence Schools, G S Matharoo, announcing the development.
“For the past few years, the association with Presidium has deviated significantly from its vision of ‘fostering excellence in education’. Today, the emphasis of Presidium has shifted from academic-centric institution to a profit-making institution. The owners of Presidium raised demand for a huge fee from the total revenue of schools for the continued use of the name ‘Pre- sidium’,” the circular stated.
Chairperson of Presidium, Sudha Gupta, denied the allegations. “We have neither received nor demanded any franchisee fee from the schools,” she said, adding the reason behind the disassociation is still unknown to the franchiser.
Matharoo said paying a higher share in revenue to Presidium would have forced them to raise tuition fees, which they couldn’t have done as the fee hike matter is pending in the Delhi high court.
“Keeping the interest of students in mind, the management, it was decided the school’s association with the name ‘Presidium’ is discontinued and the name of the school be changed to ‘Prudence School’,” the circular said.
Similar circulars were issued to the parents of students in the Dwarka sector 16 B and Ashok Vihar branches.
Matharoo said the decision was taken by the governing bodies of the branches in October. “We were receiving many complaints against the Presidium franchiser. The governing bodies of the three branches have unanimously decided to disassociate themselves from the brand. As per rules and regulations of the Delhi education act, the governing bodies of the schools run by trusts or societies can change their names,” he said.
Matharoo is the chairperson of the governing bodies of the Dwarka sector 22 and sector 16 B branches and secretary of Ashok Vihar.
Principal of the Ashok Vihar branch, CB Gupta, said he is meeting parents personally to clear doubts. “I met hundreds of parents in the last two days and took their queries. We assured them there will be no change in the quality of education or other facilities at the schools with the change of name. The decision of disassociation from ‘Presidium’ has been taken after consulting the school management committees (SMCS) that are largely dominated by parents,” he said.
But a section of parents are upset.
“We had enrolled our children because of the brand name. Now when it’s not there, why would we pay around ₹3 lakh annual fee?” asked a parent of a Class 1 student at Ashok Vihar.
Another parent of a student in Dwarka said the school might see “mass cancellation” of admissions next year.
“We can’t withdraw admissions at this time but we do not want our kids to study in a school nobody knows about. We will rather enrol them in another known school. But the switch will cost us a hefty amount,” the parent said.