JAMMU: The Directorate of School Education Jammu has issued instructions regarding the charging tuition fee etc by recognized unaided private schools.
A circular in this regard has been issued by Dr. Ravi Shankar Sharma Director of School Education Jammu(DSEJ) , a copy of which lies with The Dispatch.
With the commencement of new academic session in schools for 2023-24, complaints /grievances have been received by this Directorate that some private schools are demanding the annual charges /admission fee and other charges besides tuition fee from the parents of students enrolled in these schools and have also enhanced their annual charges and tuition fee without approval of the Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee (FFRC).
Besides a number of complaints/ grievances have also been received as reported by DSEJ’s tele-counselling helpline “Ayo Baatkarein” on daily basis and also through emails regarding the demand of annual charges/ admission charges along with the tuition fee by the private schools.
In this regard, attention of the private schools is drawn towards the following sections of J&K School Education Act 2002 (Amended): i. Section 20E(1) Orders passed by the committee for Fixation and Regulation of fee of private schools shall be deemed to have been duly passed by a public servant and itS violation or non-compliance shall amount to disobedience under the provisions of section 188 of Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).
The private schools shall not charge any fee from the students or guardians, except tuition fee, annual fee, transport fee and voluntary special purpose fee such as the picnic, tour and excursions, etc. completely voluntary in nature or any other fee as may be approved by the Committee For Fixation And Regulation Of Fee of private schools after following the procedure prescribed.
Section 27 (2): Any person or private school which contravenes the directions of the Committee For Fixation And Regulation Of Fee of private schools shall be liable to a fine of not less than Rs. 50,000/- for first offence and one lakh rupees for every subsequent offence including recommendation for disaffiliation of such private school by the said committee.
The enhancement in tuition fee and annual charges by the schools over and above fee prescribed by Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee without the approval of Fee Fixation & Regulation Committee (FFRC) 0s not justified and is in contravention to the instructions of the Administrative Department on the subject as well as the aforementioned Act.
Therefore in view of the above, it is hereby once again ordered that all the private schools shall strictly abide by the J8K School Education Act 2002 and desist from charging any fee other than approved by the Fee Fixation and Regulation Çommittee. Any deviation shall invite action as envisaged under Section 27 (2) of the Act.
