Edu Dept to examine fee hike for entry-level class

Naina Mishra

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 3

The UT Education Department has sought information on the annual fee charged by schools for three consecutive academic sessions – 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21 — to check the fee hike percentage for entry-level class.

The fee hike should be in accordance with the Punjab Regulation of Fee of Unaided Educational Institutions Act, 2016, as per which, the hike in fee should not exceed 8 per cent of the fee charged the previous year by an unaided educational institution.

Last year, three city schools had increased their fee by more than double the limit — up to 19 per cent.

The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notification on April 13, 2018, regarding the applicability of the Punjab Regulation of Fee of Unaided Educational Institutions Act, 2016, to the Union Territory of Chandigarh.

The Act also stated that if any unaided educational institution contravenes provisions of the Act, it is punishable with a fine, which may extend up to Rs 30,000 in case of unaided educational institutions of primary level and Rs 50,000 for middle level and up to Rs 1 lakh in case of the secondary and senior secondary level institutions for each contravention.

Other information sought by the department includes name of entry-level classes with age criteria, total number of sections and seats, seats reserved under the Right to Education Act (RTE) Act, procedure of admission and the date of draw.