Delhi HC criticizes DPS Dwarka, calls it a ‘money-making machine’ and says students are treated like ‘chattel’ amid fee hike controversy

The Delhi High Court came down heavily on Delhi Public School (DPS) Dwarka on Tuesday, sharply criticizing the institution over a fee hike controversy and likening its operations to that of a “money-making machine.” The court also remarked that the school appeared to treat students as mere “chattel,” sparking renewed debate over the commercialization of education and the accountability of private institutions.

The scathing observations were made during the hearing of a petition filed by a group of parents challenging what they described as an unjustified and steep increase in tuition fees by DPS Dwarka, a prominent private school in the capital.

Justice C. Hari Shankar, who presided over the matter, questioned the rationale behind the fee hike and the lack of transparency in the school’s financial practices. “It appears that the school is being run not as a temple of learning but as a business enterprise,” the court observed. “Students are being treated as commodities, and parents are being held to ransom under the guise of providing quality education.”

Parents Allege Arbitrary Fee Hike

The controversy began when several parents raised concerns about a significant increase in tuition and other associated fees during the academic year, without adequate explanation or consultation. According to the petitioners, the school had hiked fees despite directives from the Delhi government mandating that private unaided schools obtain prior approval for such revisions.

Parents argued that they were already reeling under financial pressures in a post-pandemic economy and that the sudden fee hike was both insensitive and burdensome. Many alleged that the school threatened to withhold report cards or deny access to online learning platforms if dues were not cleared on time.

“Our children’s future is being held hostage,” said one parent, speaking on the condition of anonymity. “Education has become a business, and we feel powerless. We want accountability and fairness.”

Court Demands Accountability

The High Court echoed the concerns of parents and questioned the school’s compliance with the Right to Education Act and the Delhi School Education Rules. Justice Shankar asked the school’s counsel to submit detailed financial records, including audited balance sheets, fee structures, and staff salary details, to determine whether the hike was indeed justified.

“The concept of education cannot be reduced to a profit-driven service. Institutions must remember that they exist primarily for the benefit of students, not shareholders,” the judge remarked. The court further warned the school against taking coercive action against students or parents in relation to the ongoing dispute.

The Delhi HC also directed the Directorate of Education (DoE) to examine the school’s fee structure and submit a report within four weeks. The DoE has been asked to ensure that schools across the capital do not exploit their autonomy to impose arbitrary financial burdens on families.

Larger Questions on Private Schooling

The incident has reignited a wider conversation around the regulation of private schools in India, especially in urban centers like Delhi where education is highly competitive and dominated by a few elite institutions. Education activists argue that while private schools play a vital role in supplementing public education, they must not operate unchecked or without oversight.

“There must be a balance between financial sustainability and social responsibility,” said Anil Kumar, an education policy analyst. “What we are seeing is a growing trend where education is being treated as a commodity, and this is dangerous in a society striving for equitable access to learning.”

Next Steps

The case is scheduled for further hearing next month, with the court making it clear that it will not shy away from taking strict action if it finds evidence of profiteering or exploitation.

For now, parents of DPS Dwarka students hope that the court’s intervention will bring much-needed relief and signal to other institutions that education is a right, not a privilege reserved for the wealthy.