New Delhi
Parents are responsible for covering the cost of air conditioning in schools, as it’s a facility provided to students, just like laboratory fees, the Delhi HC has ruled. A bench led by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) against a private school that charges Rs 2,000 per month for classroom air conditioning, saying parents should consider these costs when selecting a school.
The petitioner, whose child is in class 9 at the school, argued that the responsibility for providing air conditioning should lie with the school’s management. However, the court noted that the fee receipt clearly shows the charge for air conditioning, indicating its part of the school’s facilities. Therefore, the court found no irregularity in the charge.
The cost of air conditioning must be borne by parents, as it is similar to other fees like laboratory or smart class charges, the bench, which included Justice Manmeet PS Arora, stated. The financial burden for providing such facilities shouldn’t fall entirely on the school.
The court mentioned that the Directorate of Education had also examined the issue, leading to the dismissal of the PIL. We are not inclined to entertain this PIL, and it is dismissed, the court concluded in its May 2 order.
