New Delhi, May 14, 2025 — A tense standoff erupted outside Delhi Public School (DPS), Dwarka on Tuesday after nearly 30 students were allegedly expelled for their families’ refusal to pay a controversial fee hike. The protest saw dozens of parents gathering outside the school, accusing administrators of deploying bouncers, blocking entry, and humiliating students in retaliation for non-payment.
Many parents say they received an email on May 9 stating their children’s names had been struck off the school rolls “with immediate effect” under Rule 35 of the Delhi School Education Act and Rules, 1973. This comes despite a Delhi High Court order on April 16 that deemed the hike “unauthorised” and condemned the school’s actions as “shabby and inhuman.”
‘Children Harassed, Pulled from Classrooms’
According to parents, even students who managed to attend school on Tuesday were allegedly pulled out of class and made to sit in school buses or outside in the heat.
“My son was physically removed from class and put on a school bus without informing us,” said Divya Mattey, a parent. “We were protesting outside while my son was being driven around. This is no way to treat children.”
Another parent, Pinky Pandey, said, “We paid the government-approved fees via cheque, but the school didn’t deposit them and claimed non-payment. My daughter was made to wait for hours alone in a bus. It’s terrifying.”
Legal and Policy Background
The controversy traces back to a fee hike imposed by DPS Dwarka earlier this year that lacked the required clearance from the Directorate of Education (DoE), Delhi. Following complaints, the Delhi High Court rebuked the school and ordered that no child should be confined, harassed, or denied access to classes for fee-related issues.
Justice Sachin Datta, in the April 16 hearing, observed: “The school deserves to be shut down if it treats children this way. Inability to pay does not justify such indignity.”
DoE’s Role Under Scrutiny
Despite the court’s orders, parents say the harassment has continued. A DoE inspection team reportedly visited the school on Tuesday but offered no immediate relief. Parents claim they were instead asked why they didn’t use the school’s designated payment app—an app that only allowed the full (unauthorised) fee to be paid.
“We submitted cheques for the correct amount, but the school weaponised that against us,” said a parent on condition of anonymity. “This is clearly a pressure tactic.”
Backdrop of Legislative Reform
This incident is the latest in a series of fee-related disputes plaguing Delhi’s private schools. In response, the Delhi government introduced the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2025, which aims to end arbitrary fee hikes.
The bill proposes penalties between ₹1 lakh and ₹10 lakh for non-compliance and empowers the government to revoke the recognition of repeat offenders.
“No school will be allowed to act arbitrarily anymore,” Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta declared in a statement on April 29. “We are committed to protecting students and parents from such abuse.”
School Silent, Parents Determined
DPS Dwarka principal Priya Narayanan did not respond to calls or messages. The DoE’s Deputy Director (Private School Branch), Manish Jain, was also unreachable for comment.
Meanwhile, parents say they won’t back down. “We’re not just fighting for our children,” said parent Chandan Kumar. “We’re fighting for a fair system that doesn’t treat education like a business.”
What’s Next?
As the conflict escalates, all eyes are on the Delhi government and judiciary for enforcement. The case highlights broader concerns about transparency, regulation, and student rights in private schooling—a debate that continues to heat up across India’s capital.
Also Read: Queen Mary’s School Faces Similar Fee Row in April
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