Munish Sood
Mandi
A serious dispute between Mind Tree School and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi has raised concerns over the academic future of students in Classes 9 to 12, with the matter currently under consideration before the Himachal Pradesh High Court.
Mind Tree School has been functioning within the IIT Mandi campus since 2017. The institution was established following a formal public notice issued by IIT Mandi inviting reputed educational bodies to set up a CBSE-affiliated school. After due approvals, including clearance from the institute’s Board of Governors (BoG), the school commenced operations under a 33-year building lease agreement.
Dispute Emerges After 2022
According to the school management, operations remained smooth until 2022. The situation allegedly changed after the constitution of a new School Managing Committee (SMC). While the SMC is mandated to serve in an advisory capacity, the management claims that certain representatives from IIT Mandi began intervening in day-to-day administrative matters.
The school alleges that it was pressured to implement decisions that could have compromised academic standards. The management maintains that it resisted such directives in order to preserve the quality of education.
Allegations of Financial and Administrative Pressure
The dispute further escalated with what the school describes as financial and administrative pressures. These reportedly included an increase in rent even for unutilized spaces, demands for Goods and Services Tax (GST) despite the institution’s trust status, and the raising of multiple contentious issues.
On May 6, 2024, the Registrar of IIT Mandi issued a notice directing the closure of the school. The management has termed the move arbitrary and in violation of principles of natural justice, stating that no reasons were provided. It further claims that repeated requests for clarification and meetings with the institute’s Director were not accommodated.
Matter Reaches High Court
With no resolution achieved, the school approached the Himachal Pradesh High Court, where the case is currently being heard under the title Mind Tree School vs Union of India. The management asserts that any unilateral action by IIT Mandi during the pendency of the case would be legally questionable.
Despite this, IIT Mandi has reportedly indicated its intention to take over the school and commence fresh classes from May. The school management has objected to such statements, arguing that they are inappropriate while the matter is sub judice.
Academic Uncertainty for Students
The most pressing concern arising from the dispute is its impact on students, particularly those in Classes 9 to 12. Experts point out that if the existing school is shut down and a new institution is established, obtaining CBSE affiliation could take up to two years. This may leave students unable to appear for board examinations during the interim period, significantly affecting their academic trajectory.
Additionally, IIT Mandi has reportedly advised parents to defer payment of fees and delay purchasing books and uniforms for at least a month. The school management contends that such advisories are disrupting academic continuity and creating uncertainty among students and parents.
Awaiting Judicial Clarity
Mind Tree School has reiterated its commitment to maintaining academic standards and expressed confidence in the judicial process. The outcome of the case is expected to be crucial in determining the future course for the institution and the students enrolled.
As the legal proceedings continue, the situation remains fluid, with stakeholders closely watching developments that could have long-term implications for school education within institutional campuses.
