DSEJ issues strict orders for private schools

JK News Today

Jammu, April 6: Jammu and Kashmir government has warned private schools of on enhancing the annual fee and tuition fee without approval from the Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee (FFRC) and has also taken strong notice of reports of forcing students to buy uniform and books from a particular shop.

In this regard the Director School Education Jammu (DSEJ) Ravi Shankar Sharma has issued two separate orders and has warned of fine and disaffiliation of schools if rules are not followed.

The DSEJ has said that through different means and also on DSEJ’s helpline “Ayo Baat Karein”, the office has received complaints from students and their parents that many private schools have enhanced annual fee and tuition fee without the approval of FFRC.

“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 DSEJ said.

“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) is not justified and is in contravention to the instructions of the Administrative Department on the subject as well as the aforementioned Act,” the order reads.

“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 Committee. Any deviation shall invite action as envisaged under Section 27 (2) of the Act,” DSEJ ordered.
As far as issue of compelling students to buy books and uniforms from a particular shop, DSEJ has asked private schools to desist from this practice.

He also directed chief education officers to form committees which will look into these issues.

“All Chief Education Officers shall constituted special monitoring teams headed by Dy. Chief Education Officers /Zonal Education Officer to verify the complaints received on account of sale of books/uniforms by the private schools or pressing parents for purchase from any particular shop. Action taken in this regard shall be submitted to this Directorate on monthly basis,” the DSEJ order reads.