New Delhi, Jul 30 (PTI) The Delhi government on Thursday issued a show-cause notice to the management of a private school in Vikaspuri after an inspection by the Directorate of Education (DoE) allegedly found multiple safety, administrative and financial violations, including the operation of 43 classrooms without fire safety clearance.
The government has asked the school to submit its reply within seven days, failing which it may initiate proceedings to take over the management of the institution under Section 20 of the Delhi School Education Act, 1973, according to a statement.
It said the inspection found that the school was operating 82 classrooms despite having a fire no-objection certificate (NOC) for only 39 rooms. It alleged that 43 classrooms were functioning without fire safety clearance.
The inspection also allegedly found unauthorised tin-shed structures comprising 30 rooms, an illegal basement and an unauthorised third floor on the campus.
According to the statement, some classrooms had only one exit door, while the passage meant for fire engines and emergency vehicles was blocked.
The DoE further alleged that the school was operating an unauthorised borewell, running senior secondary classes despite the expiry of its provisional recognition on March 31, 2023, increasing fees without the department’s approval, delaying salaries of teachers, and paying them below government-prescribed scales.
The statement also alleged that the school’s governing body comprised close family members, raising concerns over conflicts of interest, and that it failed to produce identification documents during the inspection.
Education Minister Ashish Sood said the government would not compromise on the safety of students and would take strict action wherever violations were found.
“The government has zero tolerance for any compromise on the safety of children. If an institution violates safety norms and other legal provisions, appropriate action will be taken to protect the interests of students,” he said.
The Directorate of Education has also proposed recommending to the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) cancellation of the lease of the land allotted to the school, the statement said. PTI SHB MDO MDO
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