Noida: A new monthly air-conditioning fee introduced by a private school in Noida has triggered objections from parents, who allege it violates fee regulations. Bal Bharti Public School in Sector 21 began charging Rs 500 per month from July 1 for students studying in 24 air-conditioned classrooms, saying the amount would cover installation, electricity, maintenance and repair costs. The air-conditioned rooms include Bal Vatika and selected sections of classes 8 to 12.Parents raised concerns, claiming such an abrupt fee hike is against District Fee Regulatory Committee (DFRC) rules. However, the school states in the official notice that the decision is in “consonance with the observations made by the Delhi High Court in Manish Goel v. Govt of NCT of Delhi & Others (WPC 6151/2024, decided on May 2, 2024)”.In the May 2024 decision, Delhi high court directed parents to bear air conditioning costs in schools, dismissing a PIL against a Rs 2,000 per month charge. It emphasised shared financial responsibility with school management and considering facilities when selecting a school.Parents also alleged the school had already hiked the fee this academic session. According to parents, the school has an average class strength of around 40 students, making the school’s takeaway per AC classroom to be around Rs 20,000 a month.The circular also stated that while transport charges would remain unchanged for now, they could increase by up to Rs 100 per month in the future due to rising CNG prices. According to the school, the hike in fuel costs has already increased transportation expenses by around Rs 162 per student.“Such introduction of another charge midway through the session places an additional financial burden on us. The school has already increased the fee by nearly 15%. We are already paying nearly Rs 11,700 as school fee. Rs 500 every month comes to around Rs 6,000 increase yearly while ACs will run only during summer. Many parents stay in Noida in rented houses, and even a little increase would affect their finances. If schools keep on increasing fees this way throughout the year, without any norms, then it will be very problematic for the parents,” said Sunil Sharma, a parent of a student at the school.District magistrate Medha Roopam told TOI that under the DFRC guideline, such measures are not allowed. “Schools must put the fee hike details, including all costs, on the official website before the new admission session. The committee will inspect the matter and, if required, action will be taken,” the DM said.Parents also alleged that the school has repeatedly directed parents to buy uniform and stationery from designated shops only. “The vendor provides very low-quality products and charges a lot of money. Parents have repeatedly asked the principal to look into the matter, but the address and details of the vendor have been provided by the school only,” said a parent, on condition of anonymity.Members of the All Noida School Parents Association (ANSPA) said it would file complaints with the district magistrate too, alleging that private schools cannot impose additional fees without obtaining prior approval from the DFRC.“If not protested now, then any school will take such measures. We will approach the chief minister and the district magistrate. Schools are required to seek permission before increasing fees, and such arbitrary charges cannot be imposed on parents,” said ANPA president Yatendra Kasana.TOI reached out to Bal Bharti principal Asha Prabhakar for comment but did not get a response.
