BuzzBytes Srinagar, Nov 26:
A gathering of concerned parents, organized by the Parents Association for Delhi Public School Srinagar, convened in Srinagar on Sunday, November 26, 2023, to address pressing issues related to an alleged arbitrary fee hike by DPS Srinagar authorities. Parents are urging the Lieutenant Governor’s administration to intervene and rectify the situation.
During the meeting, parents highlighted the order No 636-FFRC(FF) of 2021, dated November 1, 2021, issued by former Chairman of the State Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee, Justice (retired) Muzaffar Hussain Attar. The order emphasized financial irregularities by DPS Srinagar authorities, raising concerns about the lack of inquiry into these issues.
Parents expressed dismay over the current FFRC’s apparent approval of an unjustified 49% increase in the annual fee and a more than 20% hike in tuition fees, which they view as preferential treatment compared to other schools. Citing examples of meager hikes in other institutions, parents called for the withdrawal of order No 159 dated August 14, 2023, allowing DPS Srinagar to arbitrarily increase fees.
Furthermore, parents raised concerns about the selection of a parents’ body by the school that allegedly makes decisions unilaterally without involving parents in matters related to fee hikes and other important issues. They called for declaring this selected body null and void due to its perceived lack of representation.
Efforts by parents have led to the FFRC allowing the formation of an executive committee of parents, nominated and submitted by the parents themselves. The association urged the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) and the state administration to address the issue of frequent uniform changes and investigate the alleged nexus between a specific shop and the school for uniform procurement.
Despite engaging with the FFRC on these matters, parents claim their concerns have gone unanswered, with suspicions that the current FFRC may be favoring DPS Srinagar over the interests of the parents. The Parents Association expressed gratitude to those who participated in the meeting, emphasizing the importance of addressing these issues for the future education of their children.
