Delhi govt may take control of Apeejay School

NEW DELHI: Delhi government has decided to issue a show-cause notice to Apeejay School, Sheikh Sarai, for taking over its management.
The proposal of Directorate of Education (DoE) was approved by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and now it has been sent to lieutenant governor Anil Baijal for his nod.
DoE claimed that the school had repeatedly failed to comply with various orders of the government on rollback of hiked fees. However, the school said the fees was charged on the basis of a Delhi High Court order. On May 4, 2020, DoE had sealed the premises of the school for violating their order on fee hike. The school then moved the high court, which directed for de-sealing the premises and gave it a chance of being heard.
A statement issued by the government mentioned, “DoE had inspected the financial statement of the school for fiscal years 2012-2013 to 2018-2019. The department found that the total funds for 2018-2019 were Rs 49,72,45,586 of which the expenditure was estimated to be Rs 18,87,02,422. This implied that there was a net surplus of Rs 30,85,43,164. The department concluded that the school had no actual need to increase the fees.”
This was reason Delhi government didn’t accept the proposal for increase in fees for academic sessions 2018-2019 and 2019-2020.
“The directorate then issued notices to the school, asking why its recognition should not be cancelled or why the government should not take over the management. Several notices were issued for not charging increased fees, but the school did not submit a reply. The school approached the high court, but the judge endorsed DoE’s order and asked for rollback of the increased fees,” the government stated.
Apeejay School, in a statement, said, “We are shocked at the prejudicial and incorrect statements made by Delhi government while the matter is subjudice, and especially during Covid-19. Our parents and students will remain unaffected and we will continue our excellent virtual education in partnership with them.”
Deputy CM and education minister Manish Sisodia said, “The Kejriwal government will not let injustice prevail. Parents should rest assured that we will stand with them and not let them face any difficulties.”
This is the second takeover announced by Delhi government this year. On June 26, the takeover of the government-aided Swami Sivanand Memorial School, Punjabi Bagh, had been announced. On July 16, the government had ordered the closure of SD Public School, Kirti Nagar. In 2016, the government had ordered the takeover of two branches of Maxfort School. However, the school moved court and was granted relief.