In a recent ruling, the Delhi High Court asserted that parents are liable for the cost of air conditioning in schools, likening it to other charges such as laboratory fees. The judgment came in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking to halt a private school from levying fees for providing air conditioning in classrooms.
Court’s Decision: The division bench, comprising acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora, dismissed the PIL, emphasizing that air conditioning is a facility provided to students and should be funded by parents. The court underscored that parents must consider such facilities and associated costs when selecting a school, stating that schools cannot bear the financial burden alone.
Background of the Case: The PIL, filed by Manish Goel, contested a private school in Delhi charging Rs 2,000 per month for air conditioning. Goel argued that the responsibility to provide air conditioning lies with the school and should be financed from its own resources. The Delhi government’s Department of Education (DoE) informed the court that it was investigating the matter based on numerous complaints.
Court’s Analysis: Examining the fee receipt provided by the petitioner, the court found no irregularities in the school’s practice of charging for air conditioning. It reasoned that since the facility is provided to students, it is justifiable for the school to levy charges after informing the DoE of its fee schedule.
Conclusion: The court concluded that the PIL was not maintainable, as the DoE was already scrutinizing the issue. It affirmed that parents must bear the cost of air conditioning in schools, urging them to consider facility expenses when choosing educational institutions.
