Delhi Parents Protest Against Fee Hike At Maharaja Agrasen Model School, Demand Action From Authorities

Parents of Maharaja Agrasen Model School in Pitampura are protesting against the fee hike outside Delhi's Old Secretariat.

Delhi Parents protest against fee hike outside Old Secretariat, New Delhi.

Source : Special Arrangement

Amid rising discontent, parents of students at Maharaja Agrasen Model School, Pitampura, are protesting against the school’s annual fee hikes outside the Old Secretariat, New Delhi. Parents allege that the school has been increasing fees by 18-20% each year (except in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic), despite repeated rejections from the Department of Education (DOE).

According to the parents, the school has issued School Leaving Certificates (SLC) to some students who are in critical years of their education, particularly in grades X and XII. All these parents have already paid valid fees as per the approved framework set by the education department. Additionally, the school has issued legal notices to over 200 students, most of whom are paying fees as per the approved Directorate of Education structure. However, the students have been served notices by the school for fee collection.

ABP LIVE has learned that the school fee for the academic year 2017-2018 was Rs 3,725 per month, and now rose to Rs 6,465 for the year 2024-2025. This represents a significant increase of Rs 2,740 over the seven-year period, highlighting a rise of about 73.5%.

Speaking to ABP LIVE, Ramandeep Pasricha, a concerned parent, said, "Every year, the school increases fees by 20%, and while the DOE rejects their hike, the school collects the hiked fee regardless. Education is becoming unaffordable for the common man now."

The parents claim that despite official orders from the DOE, the school continues to implement the fee hikes without facing any consequences. They further accuse government officials of inaction, leaving their concerns unheard.

"The Department of Education is only printing the orders and not ensuring that the school follows them. No government official, not even from the Directorate of Education, the Secretary, or the LG of Delhi, is willing to meet us. Students are being issued transfer certificates (SLC), and officials sit comfortably in their AC rooms, dismissing us as a mere crowd," said Neetu Takroo, another protesting parent.

The frustration among parents is palpable, with some accusing the Directorate of Education and the Education Minister of enabling the school’s actions.

Alleging the involvement of the Directorate of Education and the Education Minister in supporting the school, a parent stated, "Our children's education and future are at risk. How can the school continue to violate orders for so many years without facing consequences? This situation wouldn't be possible without the complicity of the Directorate of Education and the Education Minister—they're all in this together.

In August, a group of parents met then Delhi Education Minister Atishi, requesting her to take action against the school. The minister, however, assured them of action and ordered a financial audit of the school, but no steps have been taken yet.

ABP LIVE tried to reach out to the school's principal Pratibha Kohli but received no response.