No new private school to come up until fee structure not approved
Srinagar: The J&K government has put a rider on the opening of the new private schools as it has stated that no private schools will be allowed to start with a proposed fee structure of more than Rs 1000 per month and Rs 6000 as annual charges.
The order in this regard has been issued by School Fee Fixation Committee (SFFC) which has been constituted to regulate the fee structure in the private schools of the J&K state.
“Hence forth, no private school having a proposed fee structure of more than rupees 1000 per month as tuition fee and Rs 6000 per annum as annual fee shall be started unless its fee structure is approved by the Fee Fixation Committee,” reads the government order.
The order states that any private school which has been established after 1st day of August, 2014 should publish its present fee structure and the fee structure as was prescribed at the time of establishment of such school.
“All private schools imparting education from Nursery to 12th class shall, within the period of one month from the date of issue of this order, publish its present fee structure and the fee structure as it existed on 1st day of August, 2014,” the SFFC order reads.
The SFFC has however, allowed the private schools to hike the school fee by six percent but the hike is to be applied to the fee structure which was in place on August 2018.
“All private schools shall publish their fee structure by pasting the details on their notice board and school website and also by sending a copy on email to the concerned CEO and Director, Education of the concerned province,” the order reads.
The private schools have also been barred to charge admission fee from the students at the time of their admission in the school.
“Schools are only allowed to charge tuition fee, annual fee and transport fee besides other voluntary payment on account of school tour, picnic or field visits,” the order reads.
The government has also directed the private schools to fix the tuition fee of the students on basis of the expenditure incurred in the academics, curricular and extra-curricular activities.
“In no way the schools should include any item of service which is luxurious in nature and un-related to imparting education. All fees to be charged commensurate to the facility provided and in no way it should include the charges on which facility has not been provided,” the order reads.
The schools have been instructed to get their accounts audited through qualified Charted Accountants giving full details of its fee received during the year and forward a copy to the concerned Chief Education Officer (CEO), Directors School Education and Fee Fixation Committee one month ahead of commencement of the new academic session.
“Any private school which contravenes any provision of this order or any other order of the committee or government may attract such action by the committee as it deems fit including recommendation for withdrawal of recognition by the concerned Board or the government,” the order reads.
KV Correspondent
