Delhi school fees amendments draw mixed reactions from officials, parents
Delhi government intends to amend the School Education Act , 1973 to make the admission process transparent.
The BJP issued a show cause notice to its leader Raj Purohit who was allegedly seen talking against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and a BJP leader in a sting operation relayed by a local news channel.
“In the CD played on various news channels, you are seen making some objectionable statements against the party leaders. This act of yours is in breach of the party’s discipline. Please give a written explanation about the same to the Pradesh Adhyaksha within three days, failing which, disciplinary action will be initiated against you,” the notice issued on Saturday stated.
Senior BJP leaders said that Raj Purohit may have to face the music for involving in ac- tivities against the party.
The Congress did not leave the opportunity to take a dig at the BJP over the Raj Purohit sting. “The sting speaks for the situation in BJP. It shows what kind of democracy exists within the party,” Congress leader Ashok Chavan told The Sunday Guardian.
“Irrespective of whoever is involved in the scam, our basic contention is that action should be initiated against the guilty. Our main point is that procedures were flouted and e-tendering was not carried out,” Ashok Chavan said. Six persons, including three “prime witnesses” in the Sunanda Pushkar death case, underwent a lie detector test last week. The Delhi police indicated that other people related to the case may also be asked to undergo the test in the coming days. The Delhi government intends to amend the Delhi School Education Act and Rules (DSEAR), 1973 to ensure effective redressal of complaints regarding exorbitant fees and unjustified fee hikes by recognised private, unaided schools. The government also wants to make the admission process transparent introducing a blend of autonomy and supervision.
The Directorate of Education (DoE) had invited suggestions regarding the revision of sections 17, 24 and 27, and rule 145 of the law, the last day for which was Monday. Private schools have written to the government that these amendments would have a detrimental impact on their functioning.
As per the amendment to Section 17, a committee formed by the government will examine complaints and communicate its decision to the concerned schools, and the director of education will get the power to regulate fees.
Ashok Agarwal, president of the All India Parents Association (AIPA), criticised the amendment. “All this takes place only when aggrieved parents file a complaint,” he pointed out. “Before that it is legal and valid. Hence, the entire burden has been cast upon the parents to move the complaint, ultimately making them amenable to victimisation.”
However a DoE member asserted that, “the performance of schools would be available to the parents and for overall bench-marking under this amendment.”
The amendments to sections 24 and 27 together propose to impose a fine of Rs 1-5 lakhs and imprisonment for 3-5 years in case of severe failure to comply with the direc- tions of the DoE. “Sections 24 and 27 (a) need not be made so harsh so as to intimidate or to terrorise schools with mandatory convictions in all cases. Even minor, unintentional and non-deliberate breach is to result in automatic convictions,” wrote the Action Committee of Unaided Private Schools, an umbrella body of private schools in the city, in a suggestion.
“The draft amendments proposed by the government are mere eyewash,” said BJP leader Vijender Gupta, “They are proposing amendments to the act claiming that they are going to curb unjustified fee hikes. But these amendments are not going to actually stop it. The government should instead create a fee regulatory committee under a retired High Court judge,” he added.
Parents differ on the issue. “A high fee is the price you have to pay to provide your children with a world-class education,” said a well-off parent from South Delhi. Contrary to this, a resident from Rohini said, “Even children from middle-class families have the right to study in good schools, so the step taken is worthy of appreciation.”
Sumit Vohra, an education activist who runs the website admissionsnursery.com, said, “there should be a uniform Centralised Admission Process (CAP) for the general category, where one common form should be filled by all parents seeking admissions for their kids and submitted to the DoE. Based on the details given by parents, the DoE should give each child a choice of 4-5 schools. Also, stringent action should be taken against schools flouting the guidelines.”A copy of this suggestion was sent to Education Minister, Manish Sisodia.