Latest news with #HyderabadSchoolParents'Association
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Parents fume over ‘late fees' despite advance payments
Hyderabad: Many parents are outraged as schools slap them with daily late fees — even when fees are paid for an entire term in advance. With no option to pay monthly, families are questioning why they're being penalised for minor delays in lump-sum payments made just three times a argue that its unreasonable to charge a per-day late fee. Schools demand full-term fees upfront, yet charge Rs 20 or more per day as a late fee if the payment is even slightly delayed — leaving parents feeling cornered."My child's school set April 15 as the last date to pay the first term fee. I paid just 20 days later and had to cough up Rs 400 in late fees," said a parent from a CBSE school in Himayatnagar. "We're already paying fees for four months in advance, and now we're being penalised too. It seems like schools are finding new ways to exploit parents." Another parent, whose child goes to a school in SR Nagar, said he too had to pay a late fee for about 45 days. "I was not given any other option. The school refused to accept the fee unless I paid the late charges," he parents believe schools are taking advantage of the lack of fee regulation in Telangana. "They increase fees every year, charge arbitrarily under various heads, and now add late fees to the mix," said Venkat Sainath K, organising secretary of the Hyderabad School Parents' Association (HSPA). "The govt must act. We need a regulatory commission that clearly defines what schools can charge."Meanwhile, some school principals defended the charges, claiming the late fee ensures financial discipline. But the Telangana Education Commission (TEC) doesn't agree. "Schools cannot arbitrarily collect late fees. This is unacceptable," said PL Vishweshwar Rao, member of TEC. "If we receive a formal complaint against any school, the commission will take action." Will introduce fee regulation: PanelHyderabad: The cabinet subcommittee tasked with implementing the Right to Education and fee regulation in Telangana met with parents and school managements on Monday. The committee reiterated its commitment to introducing a school fee regulatory framework in the state. "We've briefed the committee about the situation. Schools have increased fees by nearly 60% this year, anticipating that regulations might finally come into force. We hope the govt acts swiftly now," said a member of the Hyderabad School Parents' Association (HSPA).
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Fee hike: Schools sell properties, lease them back, reveals I-T probe
Hyderabad: Investigation by the income tax (I-T) department, under the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, has revealed a disturbing pattern behind rising school fee in Hyderabad. Officials found that several educational trusts and societies sold their land and buildings to commercial and foreign entities and continued to operate by leasing back the same infrastructure. The shift from owner-operated campuses to rental models significantly increased operational costs, which are now being passed on to parents through steep tuition fee hikes. Rental Burden Behind Fee Escalation You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad An official of the education department said, "Once the infrastructure is sold, the school trust becomes a tenant, incurring substantial rental and maintenance charges imposed by the new owners. These commercial entities, particularly foreign investors, seek quick returns on their capital, placing financial pressure on schools. The additional costs are ultimately covered through increased school fee." In Hyderabad, in the past few years, Singapore, Hong Kong, and other foreign-based firms reportedly acquired schools whose assets were worth between 500 crore and 1,500 crore. Venkat Sainath Kadapa, general secretary, Hyderabad School Parents' Association, said, "Trusts and societies are supposed to be non-profit. When there are huge transactions involving hundreds of crores of rupees with foreign entities, these transactions must be scrutinised. The govt should revoke the not-for-profit status in such cases. All the burden is being placed on children. Many schools are being taken over and, as a result, fee is hiked every year. When news comes out, the govt pretends to act, but then the fee goes up again. There are schools now charging between 4 lakh and 8 lakh per annum even for LKG. Some schools collect as much as 23 lakh. The I-T authorities should focus on cashless transactions by schools. The audited reports of these societies must be made public." Parents Bear the Impact as Fees Rise This emerging model has drawn criticism from parents and education activists. The Hyderabad School Parents' Association had earlier alleged the diversion of school revenues to shell firms and the involvement of foreign private equity. With mounting operational expenses, the Telangana Recognised School Managements Association (TRSMA) has sought approval for a 15% annual fee hike.
