SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, 29 April: Several private schools in Dhanbad, including the prominent DAV Public School Mugma, have found themselves under scrutiny for allegedly violating the Jharkhand Education Tribunal (JET) regulations. The District Superintendent of Education (DSE), who also serves as the nodal officer for the Right to Education (RTE) Cell, has issued show-cause notices in response to multiple complaints from parents.
Re-admission Fees and Book Sales Spark Outrage
According to the notice, DAV Public School Mugma has been accused of compelling students to pay re-admission fees and purchase books exclusively from the school’s own counter—actions that are explicitly prohibited under the JET Regulations of 2017. The DSE has directed the school principal to provide a formal explanation regarding these allegations.
Parents’ Association Leads Protest
The controversy gained momentum following a protest led by the Jharkhand Abhibhawak Mahasangh, under the leadership of its general secretary, Manoj Mishra. Guardians alleged unjustified financial pressure from schools and formally lodged complaints with the DSE and the Deputy Commissioner.
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“The school’s management did not respond to our protests and demonstrations. That’s when we decided to escalate the matter to the education department and the Deputy Commissioner,” Mishra stated.
Allegations of Unchecked Fee Hikes
In addition to concerns over re-admission fees and book purchases, the DSE has sought clarification regarding complaints about annual increases in monthly tuition fees over the past three years.
Responding to these developments, Mishra warned, “If the school management fails to comply with the DSE’s directive, we will not hesitate to approach the High Court.”