Many schools asking for donation: Parents

The ongoing nursery admissions in the capital have turned out to be a way of making money for schools, if allegations by parents are to be believed.

More than 100 parents have lodged complaints before the Directorate of Education of the Delhi Government alleging that schools have demanded more money to give admission to their children.
       
There are scores of complaints regarding schools not refunding the fee in case parents want to pull out their kids for admission in other school.

"We have received a number of complaints against schools and are trying to settle them," a senior government official said.

The official said the parents have filed their complaints online about demands for more money by schools.
       
When the admission process started, the parents complained about schools charging more money for the prospectus and forms. But now when the admission process has been initiated, parents have alleged that they are being asked for donations.

"The school has not come out with a list at all as all the admissions was internal based on donation paid. The complainant was also called asking to give donation of Rs 35,000 for which no receipt was being given," a complaint to the DoE read.

The parents of children who have secured admission allege that schools are not ready to refund the fees if they plan to pullout their ward.

"I have secured a seat in a school in Rajouri Garden but still want to explore other schools. When I asked the authorities concerned whether they will refund me the fees I paid for a seat here, they replied in the negative," says Rajeev Chaturvedi, a businessman.

The Directorate of Education (DoE) had issued a circular stating that any parent can pullout their ward from a school and the institute can only retain the registration charges, admission fee and the tuition fee of one month only. The remaining amount has to be refunded.

Parents are confused whether they should secure admission through the first list or wait for the second one.
       
"When the second list will be out there may be withdrawls from schools and eventually I may secure an admission in the school I prefer. But the question troubling me is whether I should risk my money here. If I decide to pullout later my Rs 25,000 will be waste and that's not a small amount," says Rashmi who is working hard to get her 3-year-old admitted in a school.

Parents also allege that the schools after admitting their children charge them more money under miscellaneous charges without giving receipts.

"The school of my ward took nominal fees while admitting him but now they have started taking extra money under miscellaneous headings which it did not mention in the beginning," a complaint read.