Srinagar, Aug 05 (KNO): The Committee for Fixation and Regulation of Fee of Private Schools (FFRC) Monday said that some private schools were violating the fee regulations by charging ‘security deposit and admission fee’.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Chairperson of FFRC Justice (Retd) Sunil Hali in a communique said, “Complaints have been received by the committee that some private educational institutions are reportedly charging ‘Security Deposits’ from parents and guardians at the time of admission of their wards, ostensibly in lieu of admission fee.”
“This practice is arbitrary and is viewed as an indirect attempt to circumvent the statutory provisions and fee regulatory mechanism established under law,” it reads.
It also said, “In this regard, attention is drawn to the Jammu and Kashmir School Education Act, 2002 particularly Section 20-C, which prohibits the collection of any fee or charges by private schools without prior approval from the Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee (FFRC).”
“Furthermore, under Rule 8(2) of the Jammu and Kashmir Private Schools (Fixation, Determination and Regulation of Fee) Rules, 2022, no private school shall collect any amount other than the tuition and annual fee as approved by the Committee,” reads the communique.
Hali in the order also said, “The heads of all private educational institutions operating in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir are advised to adhere strictly to the approved fee structure and refrain from imposing any unjustified financial burden on parents.”
“Further, parents and guardians who have already deposited any amount under the title of ‘Security Deposit’ or any other unapproved fee head are directed to come forward and lodge a formal complaint before this Committee. The identity of the complainants shall be kept strictly confidential,” reads the order—(KNO)