School may shut down if crisis deepens.
By Deepak Chitnis
WASHINGTON, DC: The American Embassy School (AES), in New Delhi, has begun dismissing teachers who came to the country as part of a recently uncovered series of frauds that allowed them and the school to skirt Indian tax laws.
Fully one-quarter of the AES faculty could be forced to leave as a result of the scam, which was first uncovered in January, by the New York Times. The school allegedly hired female teachers whose husbands were also employed by the school were instructed to file themselves as housewives on their visa applications, rather than as teachers, in order to expedite the visa process, and work around India’s income tax laws. Administrators have reportedly admitted to the fraud, which could see them not only lose their jobs, but the school itself close down. Nearly 20 teachers have left the school in recent weeks, said the Times.
Fees for students could also be raised by $5,000 next year, to adhere to tax laws, and an additional $5,000 for students who need help in English instruction, the report added.
Until the case is resolved, Indian officials have said they will not renew the visas of any teachers at the school. The case will likely go on now for several months, as the Indian government peels back layers of deception until they get to the bottom of what really happened. What’s more, if the investigation hasn’t concluded by the time the new academic term begins in the fall, the school could shut down completely, said the Times, in a new report.
In a note sent out to the school’s students, parents, and the local community, AES President Paul Chmelik acknowledged that the school was in a rough patch, and that an investigation into its practices was ongoing.
“Via messages from the principals, many of you are now aware that the departure of faculty members due to visa renewal issues has begun,” said Chmelik, in a note written on March 28, and obtained by the Deccan Herald. “Such departures may continue during the days ahead until a resolution to the issues are orchestrated by high-level diplomatic discussions that are taking place between the Government of India and the US Government.”
The US has tried to absolve itself of any wrongdoing, saying that only one-third of the 1,500 students at the school are of American descent, and that they cannot be held responsible for the hiring practices used by the school’s administration. But whatever the outcome remains, it will continue to sour ties between the two nations, especially if India treats it as a retaliatory measure after the Devyani Khobragade fiasco and several other attacks on India’s infrastructure by the US.
A huge attempt to appease India came earlier this week, with the resignation of US Ambassador to India Nancy Powell, and the rumor that USAID head Rajiv Shah would take her place in May. But that can only do so much, apparently, as India continues to feel betrayed by the US.
To contact the author, email to deepakchitnis@americanbazaaronline.com