A school in Mira-Bhayander, which refused to refund the fees after a parent cancelled the admissions of her two children, has been held guilty of unfair trade practices and ordered to pay back the money along with compensation.
In a recent order, the Thane District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum directed the school to pay back the fees amount of Rs16,000 and an additional Rs6,000 for the mental agony caused, within a month.
Chitralekha Bendage, who is based in Sewri, had got admission for the two children in the junior KG section of Seven Square Academy, on 22 January 2009.
"While enrolling the kids in the school, she paid total fees of Rs16,000, for which the school issued her a receipt," the complaint stated.
However, just two days after they were enrolled in the school, Bendage had to withdraw their names due to some personal and medical reasons.
"Bendage approached the authorities and informed them that due to certain medical as well as personal reasons, she had to withdraw the kids from the school and hence she requested the school to return the fee amount," the complaint stated.
But the school authorities refused to hand over the fee amount citing a clause that was mentioned in the fee book. The school maintained that according to this clause, if any parent withdrew the admission of a child, in such a situation the fee amount would not be refunded.
Aggrieved by the school's decision, she filed a complaint with the consumer forum. The forum asked the school to file its reply. Again, the school justified its decision by relying on the clause in the fee book.
The forum said that while there was "no doubt that the school in its receipt book had mentioned that the fee amount would not be refunded, the fact remains that the complainant did not opt for any service from the school in any way. Rather she cancelled the admissions well in advance and thus in such circumstances the complainant is liable for compensation."
Lesson to learn
Chitralekha Bendage had got admission for her two children in Seven Square Academy on 22 January 2009.
But two days later she had to withdraw their names due to personal reasons.
However, the school refused to refund the fees, citing a clause mentioned in the fee book.
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