The Vidyaashram Schools had reportedly increased the fee of its branches at the JLN Marg and Pratap Nagar by 40 per cent.
In a move that could impact hundreds of children, the school education department has withdrawn the no-objection certificate (NoC) of both branches of Vidyashram School at Jaipur. The school had recently confronted the department over issue of steep fee hike raised by the parents. The department has also written to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for cancellation of the school’s affiliation.
The Vidyaashram Schools had reportedly increased the fee of its branches at the JLN Marg and Pratap Nagar by 40 per cent. The move was vehemently opposed by guardians of students following which the education department had ordered the school administration to roll back the hiked fees. The school, however, refrained from complying with the orders. It has now ended up losing the certification.
“The school management had increased the fee in violation of the Rajasthan Fees Act, 2016 and was unresponsive to the notices of the department,” said Nathmal Didel, director secondary education Rajasthan, Bikaner. “As per the act, a joint committee of student, guardians and school representatives should be constituted to decide on fee hike. The recommendations of this committee are to be duly informed to the education department and uploaded on the website,” Didel added.
According to the department officials, the schools shall be able to continue academic activities till CBSE decides on its affiliation. In the event it comes to termination of affiliation, the central board shall make arrangements for the students continued studies.
The school authorities remain adamant and they are reportedly knocking on the court against the department’s decision. School director (Jaipur), BC Kumawat could not be reached on phone for comments. Pratima Sharma, principal of the school did not offer any comments.
The department had, on Monday, called upon the school authorities at the Secondary Education Directorate in Bikaner calling for an explanation on the issue. At the meeting, a school representative accompanied with an advocate defended the decision. The authorities though after due consideration of the documents decided that the fee hike was in violation of fees act and decided to withdraw the NoC.
Timeline of fee controversy
- DEO issues notice to the school management on April 19.
- Management raises question on the DEO's notice and refuses to accept the instructions of the education department.
- On April 23, the Director (Secondary Education) Nathmal Didel issued notice to the Vidyashram School Management. School management does not respond to this notice.
- On April 26, the school management is instructed to personally appear in the Directorate office at Bikaner on April 30.
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