Panel regulates fee structure of 500 private schools

Vikas Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, April 23

The Committee for Fixation of Fee Structure of Private Educational Institutions, J&K, has regulated the fee structure of more than 500 private schools of Jammu division. The case of 28 more institutions is under process.

Jammu district tops the list with 170 private schools, followed by Kathua (63), Rajouri (52), Poonch (44), Udhampur (43), Samba (35), Doda (35), Ramban (34), Reasi (14) and Kishtwar (13). Of 28 private schools whose case is under consideration, seven are from Jammu district, four from Kathua district, three each from Udhampur and Reasi districts, two each from Ramban, Kishtwar, Poonch and Leh and one from Doda district.

The Directorate of School Education had fixed schedule for proprietors of private schools, including CBSE affiliated, functioning in Jammu province to submit duly authenticated details of the fee structure of each standard ason August 1, 2014, and the present fee structure.

Sources said a majority of the private schools whose fee structure had been regulated affiliated to the J&K Board of School Education (JKBOSE). As far as the regulation of fee structure of CBSE schools is concerned, the decision is likely to be taken soon. As per the committee’s order, all private schools imparting education from Nursery to Class XII shall not charge any fee except tuition fee reflecting recurring expenditure such as salary, electricity and water supply etc, annual fee which includes depreciation, repair and maintenance, and a one-time fee, including examination, computer, sports, transport fee and voluntary special purpose such as picnic. Low budget private schools charging tuition fee less than Rs 1,000 per month and annual fee less than Rs 6,000 need not apply to the committee for the fixation of the fee structure.

Other private schools may raise their fee annually, but not more than six per cent. For any enhancement beyond this ceiling, the school will have to apply to the committee with proper justification and required documentary proof.