SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, April 22: A parent of a BPL-category student has filed a complaint with the Dhanbad District Education Officer (DEO) against Dhanbad Public School (DPS), Hirak Branch, alleging a violation of a Supreme Court directive regarding student readmission.
Ramdeo Thakur, the aggrieved guardian, accused the school of compelling him to re-admit his son, Prem Thakur, to Class IX for the academic session 2024–25, despite the Supreme Court’s clear orders on automatic promotion and readmission.
Father Seeks Intervention to Secure Son’s Education
In his complaint, Thakur stated that his son had been studying at DPS Hirak Branch since the 2017–18 session under the BPL quota. He expressed his willingness to pay all applicable fees except the readmission charge, which the Supreme Court has previously ruled should not be imposed.
“I want my son to continue studying in this school, but the institution has barred him from attending classes without re-admission. Except for the readmission fee, I am willing to pay all other charges as per the Supreme Court’s directive. I request your intervention so that my son’s education is not interrupted,” Thakur stated in his complaint to the DEO.
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SC and HC Orders Clearly Mandate Automatic Readmission
According to Supreme Court judgments from 1995 and 2008, any regular student who passes in all subjects must be automatically promoted and re-admitted to the next class without being asked to pay readmission fees. These rulings have also been endorsed by the Jharkhand High Court and the Jharkhand Education Tribunal.
Despite these directives, DPS Hirak Branch allegedly continues to demand readmission fees for continuing students, in clear defiance of the court orders.
No Response from School Authorities
Repeated attempts to contact the school authorities went unanswered.
Meanwhile, on April 17, 2025, the school principal issued a notice to parents stating that the new academic session had begun on April 2. The notice further advised parents to complete their ward’s enrollment at the earliest so that roll numbers could be allotted.
Parents’ Association Plans Legal Action
The Jharkhand Parents Association has announced plans to file a contempt petition against schools that compel students to seek readmission in violation of court rulings.
Manoj Mishra, General Secretary of the association, stated that complaints have been submitted to both the DEO and the Deputy Commissioner. “Not only DPS, but several DAV schools in the district are also flouting the law. Parents have been on an indefinite sit-in at DAV School in Nirsa for the last 15 days,” he added.
The association now plans to escalate the matter legally by initiating contempt proceedings against the errant schools.