In a significant interim relief for over 100 parents embroiled in a fee hike dispute with Delhi Public School (DPS), Dwarka, the Delhi High Court has directed them to deposit 50 per cent of the increased fee for the academic session 2025–26. The court also directed the school to allow their wards to continue attending classes during the pendency of the case.
Justice Vikas Mahajan, in an order dated May 16 but made public on Wednesday night, clarified that the 50 per cent concession applies only to the hiked component of the school fee, while the base fee must be paid in full. The court was hearing a petition filed by 102 parents challenging the steep fee hike and seeking state intervention in the school’s management.
The parents alleged that DPS Dwarka had employed coercive tactics in recent years to collect unapproved fees, including using bouncers to intimidate students and parents. The petition urged the Delhi government and Lieutenant Governor (LG) to take over the administration of the school, citing serious violations of norms.
The court, however, noted that no material had been placed on record to show that the Directorate of Education (DoE) had rejected the school’s revised fee structure for 2024–25 onward. It said, “Until and unless the DoE reviews and rejects the fee enhancement on grounds of profiteering or commercialization, the law does not bar such fee increase.”
The bench added that parents must pay the fees as per the school’s submitted statements until the DoE takes a decision, and subject to the outcome of the writ petition.
Recording the school’s counsel’s submission that the institution was agreeable to accepting 50 per cent of the hiked fee, the court directed:
“The wards of the petitioners shall be allowed to continue their studies in their respective classes till the pendency of the present petition, subject to the parents depositing 50 per cent of the hiked school fee for the academic years 2024–25 onwards.”
The High Court also issued notices to DPS Dwarka, the LG, and the Delhi government, directing them to file their replies within four weeks. The matter is now listed for hearing on August 28.
The parents’ petition alleged that the school had increased its monthly fees from ₹7,000 to ₹9,000, despite repeated objections. They also cited multiple representations made to the LG’s office, highlighting the school’s alleged breach of land allotment terms and non-compliance with DoE directives.
Notably, the DoE, in orders dated May 22 and May 28, 2024, had directed the school to refund excess, unapproved fees for 2022–23 and to ensure that students are not subjected to academic loss or mistreatment. Despite these instructions, the petition claimed, students were harassed and isolated.
The petition also referred to a separate case pending before another bench, where DPS Dwarka was pulled up for subjecting students to “indignity” by isolating them in a library over unpaid fees. A committee led by the district magistrate (southwest) had reported that affected students were denied access to classes, canteen, and normal peer interaction, with guards monitoring their washroom visits.
The matter continues to raise serious questions about the regulation of private schools and the role of the DoE and the LG under Article 239AA of the Constitution in ensuring children’s right to education without fear or discrimination.
