Srinagar, Nov 23: The School Education department on Monday said that it has received complaints from Lieutenant Governor’s Grievance Cell against the private schools of charging annual fees.
According to the order of Chief Education Officer (CEO) Srinagar, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the complaints were received against the management of Tyndale Biscoe and Mallinson Girls School, Sheikh Bagh Srinagar.
“This office is in receipt of complaints through LG’s Grievance Cell, wherein it has been alleged that the School authorities are forcing students and parents to pay annual charges for the session 2019-20 and the same has been collected from most of the students and parents,” it reads.
CEO Srinagar said that the amount charged is in contravention to the circular issued earlier this year in May by the Department of School Education.
In the circular issued earlier, it has been clearly ordered that annual fees, if any, can be charged monthly on a pro-rata basis after schools re-open.
“In view of the directions to refrain private schools from charging any annual charges from students for the session of 2019-20, the charges already collected thereof be adjusted in the monthly tuition fees of students, failing which action shall be initiated against the school management,” the order reads.
CEO asked the schools to file the Action Taken Report (ATR) in this context within a period of two days positively, for the appraisal of the concerned authorities—(KNO)
