District administration summons private schools’ representatives over fee and uniform complaints
PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
The Dehradun district administration summoned principals and representatives from several private schools following complaints related to fee hikes and pressure on parents to purchase books and uniforms from specific vendors. Schools called for a review included Saint Joseph’s, Saint Kabir Academy, Flower Dale and Mount Litera among others.
The officials informed that Flower Dale and Mount Litera did not attend the meeting and were issued notices. Saint Kabir Academy has been asked to present its principal on April 15 for further clarification.
The Dehradun district magistrate Savin Bansal has instructed the core team to investigate these complaints. He said that if schools fail to comply with regulations or address complaints, their recognition may be cancelled. The Dehradun chief development officer Abhinav Shah directed schools to follow the Right to Education (RTE) Act, which allows a maximum fee increase of 10 per cent over three years.
He said that the schools have also been told not to force parents to buy books or uniforms from particular shops. A clear advisory must be issued to inform parents they are free to make purchases from any vendor, he said. Shah informed that the officials concerned have been asked to review academic standards at schools facing complaints and engage with parents to resolve their concerns. In a separate incident, the principal of Shri Guru Ram Rai Public School, situated at the East Canal Road, allegedly denied a student promotion from Class VIII to Class IX and misbehaved with the student’s parents.
The chief education officer Vinod Kumar has recommended the school management committee to appoint a new principal. The review meeting also included district education officer and other private school administrators. Shah said that the administration will continue to take action against schools harassing parents and students under the guise of education.
