New Delhi, July 30 -- The Delhi government has issued a show-cause notice to a private school in Vikaspuri after a surprise inspection allegedly uncovered multiple safety, financial and administrative violations, including the operation of 43 classrooms without fire safety clearance. The school has been given seven days to respond, failing which the government has proposed taking over its management.
Education Minister Ashish Sood directed the Directorate of Education (DoE) to initiate what the government described as the "strongest possible action" against the school's management. "Our government has absolute zero tolerance for any compromise on the safety of our children. This school was operating dozens of illegal classrooms with zero fire safety clearance, putting thousands of young lives at risk daily. When an institution constructs hazardous structures, loots public funds, underpays its teachers, and ignores the law, we will act decisively. We are prepared to completely take over the management to protect our students," Sood said.
According to the inspection report, the school had a Fire No Objection Certificate (NOC) for only 39 rooms but was operating 82 rooms, leaving 43 classrooms without any fire safety clearance. Officials also found an unauthorised tin-shed structure comprising 30 rooms, an illegal basement and an unauthorised third floor.
The inspection further revealed blocked emergency access routes, with some classrooms having only one exit and the passage meant for fire engines obstructed. The school was also found allegedly operating an unauthorised borewell in violation of environmental and National Green Tribunal (NGT) norms.
The government alleged that the school's provisional recognition for senior secondary classes expired on March 31, 2023, yet it continued running Classes XI and XII. It also accused the management of increasing fees without DoE approval, including 20-25 per cent hikes during the COVID-19 pandemic, and arbitrarily doubling smart classroom fees.
The report further alleged delayed salary payments to teachers, non-payment of salaries at par with government scales, and a governing body dominated by close family members.
The Directorate of Education has asked the management to explain why action should not be initiated under Section 20 of the Delhi School Education Act, 1973, including a government takeover of the school and a recommendation to the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to cancel the lease of the concessional public land allotted to it.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.