Rourkela: What’s in a name? Plenty, if you happen to be a resident of Steel City and your ward studies in Delhi Public School, Rourkela.
This is because the premier city school will no longer be allowed to use the DPS brand in its name. This is because DPS Society has stripped its affiliation to the school following a dispute over fee with the management.
The news of the stripping of the DPS tag has triggered panic among the guardians of around 4,000 students studying in the school. The school authorities, however, expressed hope that the matter will be resolved soon.
School Agreement
According to sources, the management of Rourkela Steel Plant had signed an agreement with DPS Society in 1993 to set up a quality school in the Steel City. Thus, DPS Rourkela was established and it went on to become the most sought-after school in the city.
According to the agreement, DPS Society allowed the school to be named as DPS and also provided necessary guidance in school management.
On its part, the school management paid Rs 5 lakh per annum to the Society as fee for giving their brand name and other guidance.
Cause of Conflict
Now, DPS Society wants a fresh agreement to hike the remuneration it receives from the school management. The Society wants the school to pay on the basis of student strength and revenue generated from the fees. This will expectedly push the money paid to as high as Rs 60 lakh per annum.
The school management, however, is disinterested in any new agreement. Following this, the DPS Society has stripped the school of its brand name.
What School Says
School Principal Sidharth Rath confirmed the matter, but added there was nothing to panic about. “It is an internal matter between the school management and DPS Society. The matter would be resolved soon,” Rath said.
Parents Jittery
On the other hand, the guardians have reacted sharply to the development and raised questions about the school’s future.
“We opted for DPS Rourkela despite the school’s fee structure being the highest in the city. This was because of the DPS brand. Now without the DPS name, it is a matter of great concern for the future of our children,” said S Das, a guardian.
