A controversial teaching program linked to an alleged cult leader managed to slip into 44 New York City public schools because it didn’t cost enough to trigger detailed background checks, school officials said yesterday.

Fees for the Brain Power program, developed by Seung Huen Lee, founder of Dahn Yoga — said to help kids improve their focus — were well under the $25,000 cutoff, said Education Department spokesman David Cantor.

The Post revealed yesterday that dozens of former Dahn Yoga employees filed a federal lawsuit in Arizona in May claiming the company is abusive and demands devotion to Lee.

Brain Power officials did not respond to a request for comment yesterday.