Delhi Public School Society's activities - a well kept secret

I did not know much about the Delhi Public School Society (DPSS) and their network of schools beyond the fact that they run a few schools in North India. The Delhi Public School Society web site makes very interesting reading and has been an eye-opener.

DPSS runs schools under the Delhi Public School brand and claim to have over 80 schools in India across 20 states and 13 schools outside India including in the Middle East, South East Asia and the USA as well (in Los Angeles, New York and Washington D.C.). A report in The Hindu from December 2002, talks about the schools in USA being operational by September 2003, but I haven't been able to find out if they're already operational or not. The same report says a school in Kabul is planned as well.

I haven't heard much about DPS schools outside North India, but they are apparently now in the southern states of Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh as well, with plans in the offing for a school in Chennai.

Having started out in 1949, DPS Mathura Road (Delhi) was the only school till 1972, when DPS R.K.Puram (also in Delhi) was set up. Their web site says they have 95 schools as of September 2002, with around 11 of them having boarding facilities too.

This is quite an impressive achievement for an organisation in terms of growth, though I don't know much about them in terms of their educational methods and practices. They certainly seem to have gotten a pulse of what parents and children of middle/upper-middle classes in India want and have been able to deliver value (as perceived by the customer) and grow to meet the demand.

I'm intrigued by their forays abroad, especially the USA. According to a report (from December 2002),

A chain of schools patterned after the DPS system is expected to be established as “public schools” in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and New York by April next year, according to Narendra Kumar, chairman of the Delhi Public School System. Kumar, who was visiting Washington and New York to consider establishing DPS-style schools in the U.S., told reporters on Nov. 18 that the proposed schools would be secular in character and the courses taught would cover environment, art, cultural heritage, sports and various science subjects. He said the idea of a secular school arose out of a need to focus on academic achievement as opposed to religious groups or madrassas.

The schools would be run by the DPS management, which is running about 20 such schools in 12 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.

The schools would be run by the DPS management, which is running about 20 such schools in 12 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. The success of DPS-type schools abroad encouraged the management to venture into the U.S. too, Kumar said. Initially, the schools would be from kindergarten to the fifth standard and the curriculum would be the same as in the DPS system. A major difference would be that while DPS is a non-profit institution, the schools planned in the U.S. would be run by an organization on corporate lines. Kumar said he had no doubt that it would attract hundreds of students, especially where there was a huge Indian-American population.

The fees in these schools would range from $12,000 a year to $25,000, and they will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities.

Kumar said the idea of setting up these schools arose after a survey showed there was great potential for such schools in the U.S. He said that on an average 15 young people apply for one seat in a public school.

DPSS certainly seem to be aiming high. Its encouraging to hear about them targeting foreign markets. This should help DPSS benchmark with global education practices and trends and hopefully help improve quality overall in India as well. What is also interesting is the indication that the DPS schools in the U.S. will be run as for-profit schools. By starting with the NRI community, DPSS have a ready market for them to hit the ground running and once they have a beach head, they can look to expand by reaching out to the local audience as well. We need to follow DPSS's activities more closely.

Comments

[Suhit Anantula]

Satya:

I saw DPS in action when I was in Hyderabad. In a matter of 2 years they started atleast 4-5 schools and gained very good reputataion. They are costly and cater to the upper middle class range but secondary information gathered on them show that the quality of education and infrastructure is good.

Suhit

[Vivek]

Hey Satya,

I am a Dipsite, from Mathura Rd.

I have mixed feelings that my school would end up being like McDonalds.

Vivek.

[Sandeep]

Hi,

DPS now has started behaving like a pvt. company wanting to go public. Most of their schools claimed abroad have not even started.Their Image has taken a beating

Sandeep

[Nutan]

Hiii
Actually i was looking a best school in delhi and i found Dps, but iam not getting more information regarding when admission opens and about fees for day boarders in class 1 for my daughter...Can u help me...
Write me ....

[akash verma]

Hiii
Actually i was looking a best school in delhi and i found Dps, but iam not getting more information regarding when admission opens and about fees for day boarders in class 1 for my daughter...Can u help me...
Write me ....

Hiii
Actually i was looking a best school in delhi and i found Dps, but iam not getting more information regarding when admission opens and about fees for day boarders in class 1 for my daughter...Can u help me...
Write me ....

[manisha]

I am looking for the good school in lucknow and i found DPS is the best,but i am no getting information regarding admisson opens and fee structure for my daughters for class lll and K.G
can u help me.....
please write me

[Lakshmi Tambe]

hai,
We were so unfortunate to leave DPSPune and come over to the Unites States. For schooling, i find nothing like DPS here. My daughter still misses the school and her teachers. The teachers had a very good attitude towards children and they saw to that if the student had any problem of any kind, it be settled in school by the teachers, and not carry it home. At the same time if the parents wanted to meet the teachers, they did welcome it with all warmth. I cannot forget to thank Mrs Amitha Singh and Mrs Seema Swami for the great attitude they had.They were real committed "TEACHERS".
Wishing always the best for DPSPune.

[Neelam]

My kids are studying in DPS Indonesia. It is run in collaboration with Texmaco(one of the firms of Indonesia). Now there is a news that it will not run anymore since Texmaco company is in very bad shape.For this reason, I am planning to move to India. Will my kids get preference in DPS schools in Delhi or what will be the status of DPS Indonesia in next session.

[Sandeep]

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am from USA, Washington as my parents are from India & they hopefully feel that I should study in India, from my nears n dears I have heard about Delhi Public School.
So please do me a favour of sending the list of your schools located all over India.
Looking forward to hear from you.

Thanking You
Sandeep

[SATYESH CHATTERJEE]

EXCILENT SCHOOL I NEED THE DETAIL OF THE SCHOOL.PLEASE INFORM US AS EARLY AS POSSIBLY.

[Shabana]

Want to admit my daughter in DPS Nerul, Navi Mumbai.Can you provide contact details.

[sim]

I am looking for admission of my daughter in one of the DPS schools in delhi in class 1 in the sesstion beginning Apr 2004. She is currently in uk and is expected to return to delhi in Mar-04.
Can I know the procedure for admission, when to apply and where can i obtain a admission form from

[Pradip]

Hi,
I too have passed out from DPS. And I am happy and thrilled that my daughter too is getting the same opportunity to study in DPS. Thankyou to DPSS to start a school in Bahrain. Definitely DPS is the best.

[vijaya]

HI!
I live in singapore, I came across the news that the DPS, starting it's new branch here. But no further details of it, like the contact nos, venue etc,. could you please provide us the info

[S Ramesh]

Dear All:

For details on DPS Singpaore, visit their website, www.dps.com.sg

[S Ramesh]

Dear All,

For details on DPS Singapore, visit their website, www.dps.com.sg

Spelling error in the earlier message!

[deepak kumar]

dear sir/madam
i want admission in dps of delhi regeion,which are located in mathura road,but i donot know what is criteria of admission and fee structure of this school,so we are more confused about this thing regarding admission procedure,actually i want one admission for 7th class and one adm.. for 8th class,mainly how much fees is there and where we can get all information abt this school,any phone no or email address by this way we can get all information

thanks
deepak

deepak_haril10@yahoo.com

[Kavitha R.C.K]

This school is the worst school in the world's history.

[Nazim Khan]

Dear Sir/Madam,
One of my cusion sister is currently studying in Ugnada, (East Part of Africa) & has completed her O' level & is very good in french, I was just wondering that if any one can guide me for her admission in DPS for 11 std & Hostel facilities too, I will appreciate for that. Waiting for a quick response.give me full detail.
Mail me at nkhan@kpmg.co.ug

[Udit]

Dear Sir/Madam,
One of my friend's daugther is studying presently Agartala,Tripura(Holy Cross)competing 10th.If any body guide me for her admission in DPS for 11th standard and Hostel facilities too.
Mail me details to.Hilboy3in@yahoo.com

[VKBhargava]

Its a exellent school in India and i want to add d name of this school in my reputed client list. Our organisation will feel proud in it . Still we r working with big names and coporates . We r a organisation working in the field of Digital Printing and Multimedia Presentation and Documentry with d help of good creativity attitude

[Amol Arora]

Check out the website of Delhi Public School, Pinjore ! Its a new boarding school run by the DPS family Near Chandigarh.

www.dpspinjore.com

[chakravarthi]

Hi
I am an indian exptritate working here in singapore as an Aircraft systems technical assistent. Actually i was looking for a best indian school in singapore and i found Dps international, but i am not getting more information regarding when admission opens and about fees for day boarders in class 4 for my son and class 1 for my daughter...therfore I am requesting your goodself please kindly provide me all the details, such as address, admission & fees structures etc. I certainly hope u do help me in this matter.
thanks and rgds.
please email me immedietly.

[C Subramaniam]

Dear Sir/Madam,

I would like to know the address and contact details of DPS in new York or New Jersey. I need to admit my children.

Pls let me know. Thanks and regards.

[Kishore Tar]

I would like to know about the schools at Vashi,Nerul