Srinagar, Apr 12: In a significant development, the Committee for Fixation and Regulation of Fees of Private Schools, J&K (JKFFRC), chaired by Justice Sunil Hali, has issued a directive to all private schools in the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory, imposing restrictions on unilateral fee hikes.
The official order, citing Section 20 E(1) of the Jammu and Kashmir School Education Act 2002, emphasizes that any alterations to the fee structure must receive prior approval from the Committee before implementation.
For schools whose files are currently being processed by the Committee, they are instructed to continue charging the same tuition fee, annual fee, and transport fee as they were in March 2024. If the Committee decides to enhance the fee structure based on their evaluation of the school’s records, parents and students will be required to pay the difference. Conversely, if the Committee reduces the fee structure, the school management must refund or adjust the excess amount.
Furthermore, the Chairperson of the Committee has directed all schools that have not yet submitted their files for fee fixation and regulation to do so within 30 days from the issuance of this order. Failure to comply may result in the Committee recommending to the Government the de-recognition or dis-affiliation of these schools. The Government may also take over the management of such schools without any further notice.
