No extension in date for fee deposit

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 12

The Education Department did not extend the last date for depositing the fee for entry-level classes in private schools, here today.

Also, there is no word from the Home Ministry over approving the Punjab Regulation of Fee of Unaided Educational Institutions Act, which limits the fee hike to eight per cent.

“We have not received any request from any quarter for extension in the date,” said BL Sharma, Education Secretary, Chandigarh Administration. He said, “Still, no information has been received from the Central Government over the fee act. But whenever it gets approved, we would intervene and take necessary action.”

The private schools this year have hiked the fee by 10-12 per cent. Had the fee act been implemented before February 12, parents would have to pay lesser fee.

The fee Act specifies punishment if fee is raised beyond eight per cent. All private schools have to display their fee structure at a conspicuous place on their premises and cannot divert the fee generated to any other society or trust.

As per the Act, a regulatory body will be formed which would listen to the grievances of parents and students and also check commercialsation of education.

Meanwhile, the Independent School Association, which comprises private schools of Chandigarh and Punjab, has challenged the fee act in the High Court, where the case is pending. The private schools say that there is expenditure on security apparatus due to consistent directions from the Education Department and they have to pay teachers’ salaries too.