Latest news with #GujaratSelf-FinancedSchools(RegulationofFees)Act
Hans India
3 days ago
- Hans India
Vadodara school penalised over fee irregularities
Vadodara: The Fee Regulation Committee (FRC) of Vadodara Zone has imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh on Vibgyor School, located in the Bhayli area of the city, for multiple violations of fee-related norms. FRC member stated that the school failed to adhere to several FRC regulations despite repeated complaints from parents about excessive fees. According to the official, the school was penalised Rs 1 lakh for not displaying the FRC fee order on its notice board, Rs 1 lakh for demanding fees for two quarters instead of one as per guidelines, Rs 3 lakh for failing to submit necessary documents to the investigation committee appointed by the District Education Officer (DEO), and Rs 5 lakh for running an unapproved pre-primary school on the same campus. Despite being given three opportunities to present their case, the school management failed to submit a satisfactory response. "This is the highest penalty ever imposed by the FRC in Vadodara's history," said the official, adding that strict action will be taken against any school found violating fee norms. He urged parents to remain vigilant and report any unjustified fees to the FRC, emphasising that both the committee and the government are committed to protecting parental interests. This is not the first instance of regulatory action against Vibgyor School. In March, the DEO fined the school Rs 3 lakh, and earlier in 2024, the FRC had levied a separate Rs 2 lakh fine for overcharging parents. The school management has challenged the latest penalty in court and objected to the interim fee structure determined by the FRC. For the academic year 2024-25, Vibgyor had proposed fees ranging from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2.1 lakh for classes 1 to 12. However, the FRC fixed an interim fee between Rs 85,000 and Rs 1.78 lakh. Despite being called to three hearings regarding fee determination, the school failed to provide necessary documentation. The FRC now plans to finalise the school's fee structure even if school representatives remain absent from future proceedings. In recent years, several educational institutions across Gujarat have come under the scanner for violating the Gujarat Self-Financed Schools (Regulation of Fees) Act, 2017. The FRC and District Education Officers DEOs have taken stringent actions against schools found overcharging parents, failing to submit required documentation, or not adhering to prescribed procedures. In Ahmedabad, approximately 75 pre-schools operating in both urban and rural areas are under investigation for charging unapproved fees without submitting the necessary proposals to the FRC. These pre-schools, often functioning under the same campuses or trusts as primary schools, bypassed the mandatory approval process, leading the FRC to direct DEOs and District Primary Education Officers (DPEOs) to inspect these institutions and collect detailed fee-related data. FD School in Juhapura, Ahmedabad, received a notice from the DEO for increasing fees without prior approval from the FRC. The school had displayed the hike fee structure on its notice board despite the FRC not sanctioning the proposed increase. Consequently, the DEO imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 for non-compliance. Nirma Vidyavihar School in Bodakdev, Ahmedabad, faced similar action when it increased annual fees by 40 per cent without the FRC's consent. The school raised fees from Rs 89,000 to Rs 1.24 lakh for the academic year 2023-24, exceeding the permissible 5 per cent hike. The DEO issued a show-cause notice, demanding an explanation within two days.
Indian Express
21-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Fee approval from FRC due to over 75 private pre-primary schools in Ahmedabad
More than 75 pre-primary privately run schools in Ahmedabad have been identified to have been running without getting their fees approved by the Fee Regulatory Committee (FRC). As per the rules, the pre-primary schools, despite being run on the same campus as primary or high schools, need to get their fees approved by the FRC under the Gujarat Self-Financed Schools (Regulation of Fees) Act, 2017. 'FRC had issued directions, asking us to inspect such pre-primary schools running along with primary or high schools without getting their fees approved by the FRC. We submitted a report this week,' Ahmedabad District Education Officer, Rural, Krupa Jha, told The Indian Express. A list of over 75 such schools — nearly 50 under Ahmedabad rural and over 25 under Ahmedabad city jurisdiction of the DEO — were identified. Upon inspection, it was revealed that the pre-primary, primary and high schools were being run by the same management trust. Sources revealed that some of these pre-primary private schools were run by prominent schools, which were charging high fees. When brought to the notice, the FRC of Ahmedabad zone ordered an inspection. An action against such schools is expected soon. As per the Gujarat Self-Financed Schools (Regulation of Fees) Act, no self-financed school can collect any fee in excess of the amount fixed by the FRC. Private schools can be slapped a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh for the first contravention.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
75 pre-schools in rural and urban areas of Ahmedabad under scrutiny for charging unapproved fees
Ahmedabad: In Ahmedabad city and rural areas, around 75 pre-schools are likely to face action in the coming days for collecting excessive fees without approval from the fee regulatory committee (FRC). A recent investigation revealed that these pre-schools did not obtain the required approval from the FRC before determining and charging fees. According to rules under the Gujarat Self-Financed Schools (Regulation of Fees) Act, 2017, all private schools, including those running pre-schools affiliated with primary schools, must seek FRC approval for fee structures. However, several institutions continued to charge high fees without submitting necessary proposals or affidavits to the FRC. Some of these schools have already received official notices and were called for in-person hearings. The law mandates that private schools submit an affidavit along with a proposal to the FRC, after which the committee finalises fees for three years. Until recently, there was no registration process for pre-schools, but this is now being implemented. Despite this, many pre-schools functioning under primary school campuses have bypassed the fee approval process. After receiving complaints about certain pre-schools in Ahmedabad, the FRC directed all district education officers (DEOs) and district primary education officers (DPEOs) to inspect pre-primary units functioning under the same trust or campus as primary schools. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo They have been instructed to submit details of any pre-schools charging fees without approval. The FRC identified 75 such pre-schools across Ahmedabad urban and rural areas. These schools are now under review, and strict actions, including penalties or further legal steps, may be taken against them for violating fee regulations.
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Time of India
Controversy at city school over excess fee demand for leaving certificates
Vadodara: A fresh controversy has erupted at city-based St Kabir School following allegations that the institution is demanding excess fees from parents requesting school leaving certificates (LCs) for their children. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now On Tuesday, a group of concerned parents, along with members of the Vadodara Parents Association , submitted a memorandum to the Vadodara district education officer (DEO), accusing the school of coercing parents into paying additional fees to obtain LCs. Following their visit to the DEO office, the group also gathered at the school premises and later approached the Gotri police station to seek police intervention. According to the parents, despite assurances from the DEO that the school would address their grievances, the school management failed to provide the necessary documents, resulting in a deadlock. At the police station, parents alleged that school officials were harassing them and their children instead of issuing the certificates. In response, the school management issued a statement asserting that it is acting in accordance with a Gujarat high court verdict and the directives of the Fee Regulatory Committee (FRC). The principal explained that while the FRC had previously barred the school from collecting term and admission fees—charges permitted under the Gujarat Self-Financed Schools (Regulation of Fees) Act, 2017—the HC ruled in 2022 that schools are indeed entitled to levy such fees in addition to the amounts fixed by the FRC. An appeal against this order, filed by the state govt, was dismissed by the high court in 2024. "With the legal position now clarified, the school has undertaken a reconciliation of all fee-related accounts, including the recovery and refund of fees. The process of refunding excess payments made by parents has already begun, and recovery of unpaid dues is now underway," the school's statement read.
