Kapil Sibal back in school, says will ban donation, development fee

Charging extra money from parents in the name of development fee and building funds, compelling them to make “donations” and holding back certificates as an arm twisting measure is soon going to be officially banned under a new law that Centre is planning to bring to curb malpractices by schools.

Human Resource Development (HRD) minister Kapil Sibal said the government is working on a new law to prohibit unfair practices in school education, something on the lines of a proposed law on prevention of unfair practices in higher education which is already in parliament.

Sibal said the new law aims to promote transparency and accountability of the school educational system while preventing adoption of malpractices by schools. “It essentially will prevent the rule of money power in this sector,” Sibal said.

The schools will also need to give admissions through a transparent process and can lose their accreditation in case of malpractices, including misleading advertisements, poor quality of teachers and withholding of certificates.

Under the proposed law, it will be mandatory for schools to disclose their fee structure, facilities and other details in their prospectus and on website. It will prohibit accepting any fee or charge by schools without issuing receipt while banning donation or capitation fee sought directly or indirectly. It will also provide for refunding of a certain percentage of the fee if the student subsequently leaves the school.

Meanwhile, the government has set up a panel of state ministers, members from civil society and educationists to formulate draft legislation to extend Right to Free and Compulsory Education up to Class 10th. RTE is till class 8th as of now.