Jharkhand Education Department Curbs Private School Fee Hikes
New District and School Committees to Monitor Fee Changes
District and School-Level Fee Regulation Committees
To tackle the problem of fee increases in private schools, the Jharkhand education department has mandated the formation of committees in all districts. These committees will oversee fee hikes in private schools, ensuring that any rise above 10% from the previous year is reviewed at the district level.
- School-level committees will include private school management representatives, the principal, three teachers chosen by the school management, and four parents selected by the teachers’ union.
- District-level committees will be led by the DC and consist of the district education officer, district education superintendent, district transport officer, principals of two private schools, MPs, MLAs, two parents, and a chartered accountant.
Appeals and Further Action
If a school does not set the fee within the specified time, the district committee will step in to resolve the matter. Schools can appeal to the divisional commissioner if they disagree with the district committee’s decision.
Safeguarding Parents and Students
Ajay Rai, the Jharkhand Parents Association president, stated, “This directive aims to protect parents and students from excessive financial strain while maintaining fairness in private educational institutions.” This decision comes after numerous complaints from parents about sharp and unregulated fee increases in private schools.
Measures Against Schools Charging Readmission Fees
Previously, the government informed the assembly that strict measures would be taken against private schools charging fees under the pretense of readmission. Hazaribag MLA Pradeep Prasad of the BJP raised the issue during the assembly session. In response, education minister Ramdas Soren pledged to take appropriate action against such schools.
