Jammu: Agitated Parents Protest Exorbitant Fee Hike by Private Schools

New Delhi: The parents of students studying in private schools in Jammu are out on the roads, protesting against exorbitant fee being charged by these schools. The protestors have also alleged that students were being forced to buy stationary and other items from selective shops where prices were high.

Against this backdrop, parents of 19 schools have taken to the streets out of which nine schools are affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and 10 with the Jammu and Kashmir state education board.

The parents have complained to the Directorate of School Education, Jammu (DSEJ), who, as per the reports, has questioned the schools.

Speaking with Newsclick, Lucky Chaudhary, Joint Director of Directorate of School Education, Jammu said: “Yes, parents have come to us and have complained about the high fee. We are working on it. We have constituted teams, which have been asked to send notices to these schools seek their response. Once they submit their response, we will be able to take some action.”

The notice by DSEJ read, “You are also violating the orders of the Fee Fixation Committee regarding fee structure and the orders of the High Court as well. Therefore, before proceeding further, you are hereby asked to explain your position within three days, failing which necessary action as warranted under rules shall be initiated against you which includes derecognition.”

Also Read: https://www.newsclick.in/himachal-pradesh-private-schools-continue-levying-hefty-fees

DSEJ has also directed parents to not buy uniform, textbooks etc. from the shops recommended by the schools, stating that nobody can force them to buy items from selective shops.

Meanwhile, parents are suspicious of the schools having signed some contract with these shops. Regarding this, Chaudhary said, “that might be the case. There might be a tie-up but we can’t comment unless the schools clear their position on this. We have given them three days’ time. Let’s see.”

http://schedujammu.nic.in/orders_circulars/DSEJ-20-04-2019.pdf

The DSEJ has also asked parents to not pay ‘extra fee’ beside tuition fee, annual fee, transport fee and for voluntary activities like picnic etc.  

The notice reads, “in pursuance of the judgment of Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case titled Islamic Academy of Education vs  State of Karnataka and PIL titled Parents Coordination and ors vs State and ors, J&K Govt. constituted a committee for the fixation of fee structure of private educational institutions in the State. (FFC) which is headed by Hon’ble Justice (Retd) Hakim Imtiaz Hussain. All private educational institutions are supposed to approach FFC for fixation of fee structure.”

The Fee Fixation Committee (FFC) has been established by the State Government to regulate the fee structure of Private educational institutions. Regarding the FFC Chaudhary said, “the schools have to abide by the FFC’s regulation. They can’t ask the parents to pay extra as it is a contravention of this act.”

Also Read: https://www.newsclick.in/protest-against-private-school-hefty-fees-in-himachal-pradesh