Cost Of Air Conditioning Services Provided In Schools Have To Be Borne By Parents: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court has observed that the cost of air conditioning services provided to children in schools have to be borne by the parents.

A division bench comprising of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet PS Arora said that the air conditioning facility is no different from other charges such as lab and smart class fee levied by the schools.

The court rejected a PIL seeking a direction on the Delhi Government's Directorate of Education to ensure that Maharaja Agrasain Public School does not levy Rs. 2,000 per month in lieu of providing air conditioning service to the students in the classrooms.

The petitioner, Manish Goel, was studying in Class IX in the school. It as his case that the obligation to provide air conditioning facility tot he students is on the school management and the said facility must be provided to students from school' own funds and resources.

The DoE took a stand that the authorities are examining the issue in question and action take report has been called on the complaints received. The court was informed that Maharaja Agrasain School has been issued a show cause notice on the complaints.

The court dismissed the plea observing that it was not maintainable. It noted that the fee receipt issued by the school for the session 2023-34 duly records the entry of charges for air conditioner.

There is thus, a presumption that the said charges have been raised after apprising the DoE of the fee and charge schedule. In view of the admission of the Petitioner that the facility of air conditioning is being provided to the students in the classrooms, prima facie, there is no irregularity in the charge levied by the School,” the court said.

It observed that the parents while selecting the school have to be mindful of the facilities and cost of facilities provided to the children and the financial burden f providing facilities cannot be fastened on the school management alone.

“Even otherwise, as apprised by learned counsel for Respondents, theDoE is seized of the matter and is awaiting the action taken report, we are therefore, not inclined to entertain the present PIL and the same is dismissed,” the court said.

Title: MANISH GOEL v. GOVT OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS.

Citation: 2024 LiveLaw (Del) 546

Click here to read order