In Dehradun, the district administration has taken a decisive stand against unchecked mis-treatment of teachers at private schools. The situation surfaced when a teacher, Ms. Kanika Madan, found herself owed two months’ salary, deprived of her security deposit and experience certificate by her employer. Recognising the gravity, the district’s top official, Savin Bansal (DM, Dehradun) stepped in and ordered remedial action at the school in question, Edify School, Dehradun. 

But the matter doesn’t end there. Another institution in Purkul operated by a society and funded through CSR and foreign-contribution is under scrutiny for allegedly dismissing long-serving teachers, including one returning from maternity leave, without valid reason. According to the complaint, the teacher, Ms Kanchan, had requested extension of her leave since her child needed extra care. She returned as scheduled in January, but before she resumed, an email reassigned her from teaching Classes 8,9 to Class 4. When she objected, she was threatened with termination, and ultimately, barred from rejoining. 

The issue here goes beyond one school. It highlights a broader problem of private-school arbitrariness in the region: unauthorized fee hikes, forced procurement of stationery, and weak oversight of teacher rights. The DM’s office says such incidents have long been ignored or insufficiently handled by bodies like the Women’s Commission or the Child Rights Protection Commission. 

In Ms Madan’s case, thanks to the direct intervention, the school released her pending salary, refunded the security deposit and issued the experience certificate a rare win for a teacher fighting such neglect. Meanwhile, the case of Ms Kanchan remains in limbo: though the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (Judicial) found her complaint credible, a stay order from the Nainital High Court has stalled the inquiry. 

What this underlines is the need for stronger accountability in private education not only for students, but also for the staff who deliver instruction day after day. When teacher dignity, pay and rights are sidelined, the ripple effect touches learning quality, staff morale and ultimately the reputation of institutions. With the DM stepping in, one hopes this becomes a turning point rather than a one off intervention.