Complaints pouring frequently against some private schools of charging miscellaneous fee: DSEK
Riyaz Bhat
Srinagar : The government on Monday said it will cancel the recognition of the private schools that violate the orders of the School Education Department and charge miscellaneous fees in the name of tuition fee during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The School Education department also warned the management of private schools of strict action in terms of relevant provisions of law in case of any violation.
Following the government orders of de-recognition of involved private schools, the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) carried a series of stories wherein many private schools of Kashmir were allegedly charging the miscellaneous fee in the name of tuition fee.
In this regard, the Directorate of School Education Department (DSEK) issued a circular, asking the private schools to refrain from violating the government orders.
DSEK on June-16 issued circular— instructing all recognized private schools to charge only tuition fee from students on a monthly basis instead of quarterly basis for the lockdown period.
“No fee hike shall be made during the academic session 2020-21 and the annual fee, if any, can be charged monthly on a pro-rata basis, after schools reopen,” reads the circular.
DSEK in a circular said that the complaints are pouring on a frequent basis that some recognized private schools are still charging tuition fees as well as miscellaneous fees under the caption of tuition fee.
It further stated that no School shall deny access to online education, material or classes for the continuous assessment to poor and deserving students, who are unable to pay school fees due to the prevailing situation.
The School Education department impressed upon the recognized private schools to adhere to the instructions in letter and spirit.
“In case any violation or non-seriousness, strict action shall be initiated against the particular School in terms of relevant provisions of law, which includes de-recognition thereof without further intimation,” it reads.
In view of COVID-19 pandemic, the government earlier instructed the private schools in Jammu and Kashmir to extend the last date of deposit of school fees up to April-30 without any late fees.
“No school shall either charge any fee for the online learning, assignments or shall link the result of the child on the basis of home assignment, “the government directed—(KNO)
