Many parents had alleged that bouncers deployed by the school ‘threatened’ students.
| Photo Credit: FILE PHOTO

The Delhi High Court on Thursday expressed its dismay at the alleged conduct of the Delhi Public School, Dwarka, in engaging ‘bouncers’ to physically block entry of certain students into the school premises over a fee dispute.

“Such a reprehensible practice has no place in an institute of learning. It reflects not only disregard for the dignity of a child but also a fundamental misunderstanding of a school’s role in society,” remarked Justice Sachin Datta.

The court closed an application filed by the parents of 31 students who were expelled by the school for non-payment of increased fees after the school informed the court that the students had been reinstated.

A Coordinate Bench of the High Court had on May 16 ordered that, until the matter is resolved, if the aggrieved parents deposit 50% of the hiked fees for the academic year 2025-26, their wards will be allowed to rejoin the school.

‘Climate of fear’

The parents, in their application, stated that despite the order of the court directing the school against preventing the students from attending classes or segregating the students who have not paid the fees, the students were not only “mistreated and threatened” by the “bouncers” deployed by the school but were also “forced to wait in a school bus for two hours before being dropped back home”.

“Public shaming or intimidation of a student on account of financial default, especially through force or coercive action, not only constitutes mental harassment but also undermines the psychological well-being and self-worth of a child,” Justice Datta said.

The judge stated that the use of ‘bouncers’ fosters a climate of fear, humiliation and exclusion that is incompatible with the fundamental ethos of a school.

The court also observed that a school, though charges fees for the services rendered, cannot be equated with a pure commercial establishment.

“The driving force and character of a school is rooted not in profit maximisation but in public welfare, nation building and the holistic development of children,” it added.

The court stated that if the school seeks to take any action in the future, it will issue a prior communication specifically putting the concerned students and their parents on notice as to the date on which the students are proposed to be struck off the rolls, and give a reasonable opportunity to show cause against such action.

Justice Datta also reiterated that the concerned parents are expected to comply with the coordinate court’s May 16 directions regarding fee payments.