Action will be taken if private schools deviate from set rules: Education Minister Sakina Itoo

Srinagar, Nov 5: The Minister for education Sakina Itoo on Tuesday said that the government will initiate action against the private schools which are found deviating from the set norms.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the Assembly session, the minister noted that all the private schools were regulated by the government. "Besides government schools, the private schools are also regulated by the government. If any school is found deviating from the set norms, action will be taken against such institutions," education minister said.

The minister was responding to a complaint pouring in against some private schools who were charging arbitrary tuition fees and other charges from the parents in violation of the set rules for the schools.

"We will examine the issue and if any school is found charging fees in violation of rules, action will be initiated as per law," she said.

The statement comes days after the ruling National Conference (NC)-led government announced the restoration of the November session for schools up to class 9th from the current academic session.

Following the announcement, the private schools are gearing up for the admission of students for the nursery classes which will likely be done in December month.

The admission of the students in the kindergarten classes of the schools always remains in the news as the schools mostly charge a whopping amount from parents as admission fees or donation, in clear violation of the norms.

Over the years, the government has issued repeated orders and circular instructions to the private schools to refrain from collecting admission fees or donations from the parents at the time of admission of the students.

Besides charging admission fees from the students, the schools also resort to arbitrary hikes in monthly tuition fees of students which keeps parents and the school management at a loggerheads.