New Delhi: Parents of students at DPS Dwarka have alleged that the school has issued an ultimatum that the names of their wards will be struck off the rolls over the alleged arbitrary “fee hike” dispute if they fail to obtain clearances from the administrative and accounts departments by April 7.In response, a group of parents staged a silent protest outside the school gate on Wednesday, terming the move “abrupt and unjust”.According to parents, the school first allowed their children to attend classes but later emailed that their names had been struck off the rolls. “They initially said everything was fine. Later, emails stated that the names have been removed. When we asked, we were simply told it was the decision. The principal has offered no explanation, despite a court order prohibiting discrimination over pending fees,” said an aggrieved parent.The strike-off notice issued by the school states: “This is in reference to the show cause notice dated 25.03.2026 and your response thereto regarding the outstanding school fees of your ward up to the academic year 2025–26. Please note that your response has been found unsatisfactory, and the outstanding fees of your ward remain unpaid.”It further states that the student’s name will be struck off the school rolls with effect from April 7, in accordance with Rule 35 of the Delhi School Education Act and Rules, 1973. “You are requested to obtain the necessary clearances from the administrative and accounts departments of the school on or before April 7,” the notice adds.Amid growing concern, affected parents said they approached the Directorate of Education (DoE) on Tuesday, seeking urgent intervention. They claimed that nearly 30 students have been impacted, leading to distress among families.“Around 30 children are affected, and this has created complete chaos. We have already filed complaints with the departments concerned and submitted all relevant documents, including the court order. It is now the responsibility of the authorities to ensure the order is properly implemented,” another parent said.In a joint statement, parents argued that the strike-off notices violate orders of the Delhi High Court as well as interim directions issued by the court. “The notices threaten to remove students from the school rolls for non-payment of hiked fees, which goes against the high court’s orders. The high court has clearly directed that students should not be segregated or deprived of access to school facilities on this ground,” the statement said.The parents further claimed they have fully complied with the Delhi High Court’s directions issued in May 2025. At the time, the high court had directed that students be allowed to continue their studies during the pendency of the petition, subject to parents depositing 50% of the hiked fee for academic year 2024–25 onwards, while paying the base fee in full. The court had also directed adjustment of any excess fee collected for 2023–24 in line with a DoE order dated May 22, 2024.Queries sent to the school principal and the DoE remained unanswered.
