FFRC bars 781 private schools from collecting fees over non-compliance

Srinagar, Oct 13: The Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee (FFRC) for private schools has barred the management of 781 private schools from collecting any kind of fees from the students.

The move comes following the failure of the schools to submit their documents for the determination and regulation of tuition and annual fees in accordance with the provisions of the J&K School Education Act, 2002 and the J&K Private Schools (regulation, recognition and Control) Act 2022.

As per the notice signed by Chairman FFRC Justice Sunil Hali, (Former Judge), the management of the defaulting schools has been instructed to stop the collection of any kind of fees from the students.

The schools include 160 in Anantnag, Bandipora (46), Baramulla (126), Budgam (26), Ganderbal (50), Kulgam (41), Kupwara (87), Pulwama (88), Shopian (64) and 93 schools of Srinagar district.

“It has been observed that despite repeated communications and a final notice issued by this office. The appended 781 private schools of Kashmir division have failed to submit the requisite files and documents for regulation and determination of fees in accordance with the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir School Education Act 2002 and the Jammu and Kashmir Private Schools (Recognition, Regulation and Control) Rules, 2022,” the FFRC notice reads.

As per the notice, these schools were granted sufficient time, but they have “willfully” failed to comply with the directions.

“As Per section 20 C(3) of the J&K School Education Act 2002, the Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee (FFRC) is empowered to restrain any private school from collecting fees from students until the approval of the competent authority is granted,” the notice reads.

As per the notice, Rule 8 (2) of the J&K Private Schools (Recognition, Regulation and Control) Rules 2022, stipulates that no private school shall revise or collect any fee without the proper approval of the committee.

“In view of the continued non-compliance and violation of the above provisions, the managements of the defaulting schools are hereby directed to immediately stop the collection of any type of fee (including tuition fee, annual charges, transport fee or any other head) of fees from students with immediate effect and until further orders,” the notice reads.

The FFRC has directed all the parents and guardians not to deposit any type of fees with these defaulting schools until a No Objection Certificate (NoC) or formal approval is issued by the committee.

“Any fee collected in contravention of this order shall be treated as unlawful and strict action shall follow against the concerned school management,” it reads.

It further reads that if any school included in the appended list has already furnished its requisite file or documents to this office, it shall report to the FFRC within one week's time, along with proper acknowledgement or proof of submission.

“So that the matter may be verified and reviewed accordingly,” it reads.

The FFRC has directed the defaulting school to treat the notice as a “final warning.”

“Failure to comply shall invite stern action, including but not limited to suspension of recognition, recommendation for withdrawal of NOC or any other punitive measures as provided under law,” it reads.