Fee Regulatory Committee orders probe into pre-primary classes in private schools of Ahmedabad

The Fee Regulatory Committee (FRC) has issued a directive to District Education Officers (DEOs) and District Primary Education Officers (DPEOs) across all zones in Ahmedabad, instructing them to conduct inspections of pre-primary classes operating on the campuses of all private schools.

The FRC was informed about several self-financed schools operating pre-primary classes on campuses or school buildings alongside primary, secondary, and higher secondary sections. However, these schools have neither obtained the requisite approval to run pre-primary classes nor submitted any proposals to the fee committee for setting-up fees for them.

It was observed that many such schools are independently determining and collecting fees for pre-primary education. This practice constitutes a violation of the provisions of the Fee Regulation Act.

Furthermore, donation or capitation fees are also being charged in the name of registration fees for pre-primary classes, which are non-refundable. 

The Fee Regulation Act clearly states that no school itself or through anyone on its behalf can collect donation or capitation fees. 

Furthermore, no member of the management committee, trust, company, or governing body of the school is permitted to accept any amount that has not been officially deposited. 

A comprehensive investigation will be carried out into these matters, and irregularities will be thoroughly documented and reported to the fee committee.

In addition, inspections regarding the fee structures of schools are currently underway, and detailed reports of these inspections will also be submitted to the fee committee.

A notice has been issued to Navrangpura-based Som Lalit private school for charging more fees, and the administrators were called for a hearing scheduled on Friday.

Also read:

Private schools in Gujarat can charge admission, term fees, but there’s a limit!