DPS Dwarka sends bouncers to block 32 expelled students

At the school gate, bouncers, teachers send back students; Move sparks outrage as school defies DoE, high court directives

- Varun Bhandari

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Public School (DPS) Dwarka on Friday deployed bouncers at its gates and denied entry to 32 students whose names were struck off the rolls for non-payment of a fee hike declared illegal by the Delhi government—openly defying a reinstatement order from the Directorate of Education (DoE) issued just a day earlier.

On Thursday, the DoE had warned the school against taking coercive action, calling its move to expel students for not paying unauthorised fees a violation of court directives. But as students arrived on Friday morning, at least four male and two female bouncers were stationed at the school's entrance, setting the stage for another standoff between the school and outraged parents.

As the expelled students approached the gates, security personnel and teachers checked ID cards, confirmed names against a list, and sent the children back without explanation.

No DoE officials were present on the premises during the early hours, and the school offered no communication to parents.

In its Thursday order, the DoE had stated: "No child should suffer because of the difference in payment of fees, if any. There is no rationale behind striking off names of students even when the case is listed in the high court."