Parents in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, have received a significant financial reprieve after the district administration ordered ten private schools to refund a staggering Rs 65 crore ($7.8 million) in excessive tuition fees.
The schools had illegally collected these fees from over 81,000 students for seven academic years (2018-19 to 2024-25).
The committee meticulously examined the financial records of the ten schools and unearthed discrepancies in their fee structures. Their findings revealed that the schools had been charging fees exceeding the permissible limits set by the Act. As per regulations, schools require approval from the district administration for any fee hike exceeding 10%. Additionally, hikes exceeding 15% necessitate authorization from a state government committee.
These schools blatantly disregarded established procedures and implemented unauthorized fee hikes, said Ghanshyam Soni, the Jabalpur District Education Officer (DEO). Following the committee's investigation, Soni confirmed that official notices were issued to the schools on July 9th, mandating the full repayment of Rs 64.58 crore, the total amount collected illegally from the affected students, as mentioned in a report by Business Standard.
This action by the Jabalpur district administration comes on the heels of complaints filed in May 2024. The complaints targeted school officials and bookstore owners suspected of inflating textbook prices. The crackdown on unauthorized fee hikes is a significant victory for parents burdened by these excessive charges for years. This incident underscores the importance of regulations and the need for vigilant monitoring to ensure fair practices in the education sector.