Image Recognition
NEW DELHI: Delhi government’s directorate of education has withdrawn the recognition of the city’s Banyan Tree School on account of alleged violation of fee norms. The school has been barred from taking admissions for the upcoming academic session.DoE officials further added that the school has appealed to lieutenant governor VK Saxena against the order of withdrawal of recognition and the order is reserved. It is learnt that the developments regarding the same took place around two to three months back following the order dated September 14 last year.The DoE order said that the school management had “failed in performing their duties and indulged in continued exploitation of parents.” “The school authorities seem to be indulged in profiteering, commercialisation, capitation and exploitation of parents by charging unwarranted fees…misconduct of the management has compelled the DoE to intervene into the affairs of the school,” the order read.While stating that the school will be allowed to complete the 2022-23 session with recognition, the order directed that after completion of the session, all students of the school shall be shifted to nearby recognised schools run by Ramkrishan and Sons Charitable Trust or to nearby government schools with the consent of parents.The order added that fees already paid would be accordingly adjusted or refunded.Apart from referring to various previous orders of the directorate and Delhi High Court pertaining to the hike in fees at schools, the withdrawal of recognition order noted complaints filed by 88 parents in August 2021 regarding non-compliance of orders. It also noted that Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) had received a complaint in February last year from 14 parents against the school for charging “50% development fund, 50% annual charge and miscellaneous charges.”Officials from the school could not be reached for a comment.