FRC orders Ahmedabad International School to maintain status quo in dispute over fees

The Fee Regulatory Committee Ahmedabad on Wednesday directed the Ahmedabad International School to maintain status quo on the ongoing issue over fees.

The committee has further directed the school to continue with the subjects and facilities provided during the academic year 2017-18 and 2018-19 based on which the committee had determined the fees for those two years, with a 5 per cent rise in the academic year 2019-20, until further notice.

The next hearing will be held on June 26.

Following a number of complaints from parents against AIS management for harassing students over fees, the All Gujarat Parents' Association had sought intervention from the District Education Office, Ahmedabad Rural.

The parents said, "The school is charging fees that are higher than what has been fixed by the FRC. In the name of optional services programme, the school is demanding more money. It may be noted that for many years, the AIS has been teaching nine subjects. However, after the FRC order dated May 8, the management has made only five subjects mandatory while four other subjects would be optional, and can be availed only by paying additional fees."

Speaking on the same, Naresh Shah, president, All Gujarat Parents' Association said, "This is a victory for the parents. We will not let schools harass parents in the name of fees, and going beyond the FRC order."

Shah added, "The school recently issued a circular to all parents to either opt in or opt out of the optional service programme and submit the prescribed form. The management of AIS is pressurising the parents. They are spreading word that those who fail to do so, will have their wards victimised and discriminated against."