Kashmir Digits

On Thursday, J&K Fee Fixation Regulation Committee (FFRC) directed schools to refund the admission fee they have charged from the parents.

FFRC has ordered Foundation World School, Humhama  to refund Rs 50,000 charged as admission fee from students within the next 15 days.

Justice Attar, in a 15-page order, cited a Supreme Court ruling which bans charging of admission fee by schools.

“In view of the aforesaid circumstances, the Principal/ Chairperson/ Vice-Chairperson/Trustees of the Foundation World School, Humhama/Mammath, Budgam, are directed to return and refund amount of Rs 50,000 to complainant, Suhail Dar and all other parents from whom admission fee has been charged and collected within fifteen (15) days and submit compliance report,” the order read.

The FFRC has received a slew of complaints against some leading private schools, accusing them of charging exorbitant fees and disregarding the government directives issued from time to time.

The FFRC chairperson said the school followed the provision to hike the tuition fee by six per cent, but failed to take into account the provision which had banned charging admission fee in any form.

The FFRC had in March this year ordered a 50 per cent reduction in the monthly fee of the Foundation World School and the Birla Open Minds School.