School Withholds Class X Admit Cards Over Fee Hike Row

In New Delhi, just a day before the Central Board of Secondary Education Class 10 board exams were scheduled to begin, two students of Apeejay School in Saket were reportedly denied their admit cards by school authorities because of an ongoing dispute over unpaid hiked fees. The board exams were supposed to start from 17 February 2026, which increased pressure and anxiety for both the students and their parents.

Parents of the affected students claimed they repeatedly tried to pay the fees that were officially approved by the Directorate of Education, even issuing cheques several times. However, they alleged that the school refused to accept those payments and insisted that the revised higher fees must be cleared first before the admit cards could be released. This situation created confusion and emotional stress for the families involved.

The matter escalated quickly as worried parents gathered outside the school premises, demanding that their children be allowed to appear in the board exams. Many said their children had prepared for months and it was unfair to block their opportunity because of a financial disagreement that has been continuing for years. The tension was visible, and some parents said their children were feeling helpless and scared just before such an important examination.

The controversy also attracted political reactions. Leaders from different parties criticised the school’s action and described it as unfair and harsh. Some accused the management of using pressure tactics, while others pointed fingers at earlier administrative policies that may have triggered the fee dispute.

Later, after intervention from education officials and a ministerial call, some students were eventually issued their admit cards. Authorities emphasised that no student should suffer academically due to fee disputes. Still, the incident left many parents questioning how such situations are handled and whether clearer guidelines should be in place to prevent similar stress in future.