A parent who claimed to have paid Rs 32,000 as orientation fee and other charges to a school in Sheikh Sarai said she would lose more than Rs 20,000 if she cancelled her daughter’s admission.

“I have spent nearly Rs 5,000 just buying admission forms etc, because many top schools force us into buying their prospectus, which can cost upto Rs 500. Now we’ve been told that only 40 per cent of the orientation fee will be refunded in case of cancellation. This was not mentioned in the prospectus,” she said.

Amit Agarwal, another parent, said: “During admissions last year, I paid more than Rs 25,000 as orientation fee at Apeejay-Pitampura for a three-day programme. This year, many parents have complained at online forums that they’re not given receipts for the fee they pay.”

While DoE norms state that all charges — except admission and registration fees (one-time charges) and a month’s tuition fee — have to refunded in case of cancellation of admission, a few schools have refused refunds.

Delhi Public School-Mathura Road, for instance, has declared that of the Rs 40,000 charged at the time of admission, only Rs 500 (charged as caution money) will be refunded.

Principal M I Hussain said the school is willing to “give a patient hearing” to anyone who approached them with a grievance regarding refunds. “We have not hidden anything from parents. They have known for a month and half what the rules are regarding fees. We have not received any withdrawal requests till date,” he said.

At Apeejay-Pitampura, Principal D K Bedi said the orientation fee was justified. “The orientation fee is for year-round programmes. We have very elaborate programmes,” he said.

A few schools have published their refund policy and fee details online.