How to Complain Against Private School Fees: Is your school also increasing fees arbitrarily? Are you also being forced to buy expensive books and uniforms from some shop? Where to complain about the arbitrariness of children’s schools? Is there any government number for this?
School Fees Hike Complaint Process: As soon as the new session starts, the biggest tension of most parents is the arbitrary increase in school fees. Every year, pockets are emptied in the name of books, uniforms and re-admissions and if children protest, they are shown fear for their future. But do you know that in our country, very strict legal rules and committees have been formed to stop this arbitrariness of schools? No private school can increase fees as per its wish whenever it wants. If your child’s school is increasing the fees excessively this year, then instead of being afraid, take help of the law. Let us know what rights and legal remedies are available to the parents in such cases.
What is the rule for increasing fees in schools?
‘Private School Fees Regulation Act’ is applicable in almost every state of the country. The rules under this law are very clear: no school can increase fees beyond a certain limit (usually not more than 7% to 10% annually). That too, when the school is increasing the salaries of teachers or making any major improvements in the infrastructure. According to a Supreme Court order, schools are for imparting education and not for commercial business or earning profits. Schools can use their savings only in improving the standard of education.
‘Compulsory re-admission fee’ is completely illegal
Most of the private schools ask for a huge amount in the name of ‘Re-admission Fee’ (Annual Charges) every year as soon as the new session starts. If your child is going to the next class in the same school, then charging money in the name of re-admission every year is completely illegal. Admission fee can be charged only once (at the time of initial admission). You can directly raise your voice against this.
No pressure to buy books and uniform from school
CBSE and state boards have strict instructions that no school can force parents to purchase goods from a particular vendor. The school will have to make public the list of design-publishers of books and uniforms, so that parents can buy them from the outside market at cheaper prices.
Where and how to complain against the arbitrariness of the school?
Take help of Parents Association (PTA)
First of all, take the ‘Parents Teachers Association’ of the school along. When 50 or 100 parents simultaneously lodge a written protest, the school administration has to bow down.
Go to DFRC
There is a DFRC (District Fee Regulatory Committee) in every district, whose chairman is the Commissioner or DM of the district. You can directly lodge a written complaint against the school in this committee. If found guilty, the school may be fined lakhs and its recognition may also be cancelled.
Online complaint on Education Department portal
You can file a complaint online from the comfort of your home on the official website of your state’s Education Department or the Chief Minister’s Public Hearing Portal.
Commission for Child Rights (NCPCR)
If the school harasses the child mentally or prevents him from attending classes for non-payment of fees, then it is a violation of ‘Right to Education’ (RTE). You can immediately complain to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
You can complain on the toll-free helpline number of the education department.
Delhi- 1800-11-6888
UP- 1800-180-5310
Bihar- 1800-345-4444
Maharashtra- 1800-233-7955
Rajasthan- 181
Madhya Pradesh- 181
Haryana- 1800-180-4179
Uttarakhand- 1800-180-4275