‘HC decision will allow unaided schools to hike fees arbitrarily’

“Parents feel a law to curb such arbitrary fee hike should be introduced. Education has become a business where unscrupulous elements are converting black money into white by constructing schools,” Sajid Shaikh,a parent.

Schools have allegedly been asking parents to pay a certain amount towards “voluntary contribution” for PTA,staff welfare,development of school or building and infrastructure fund or as education fee for maintenance. Both Right to Education Act and Prohibition of Capitation Fee Act state that charging capitation fee under any head not prescribed by the education department is unlawful and schools,if caught,will have to pay 10 times the amount charged.

Jayant Jain,president of Forum for Fairness in Education,said: “We are surprised by this order. There are many aspects of this case that might not have been brought to HC’s notice. The state education department acts on the complaints of the parents. Is the interest of the parents not important to the court?”

Avisha Kulkarni,parent and an educational activist,said: “I agree with the HC decision but it is also important for them to get it approved by a statutory authority of the government.”

An administrator of a reputed school in south Bombay said,“We hike fees as per the expenses we incur. In the absence of government aid,we can’t manage without hiking fees. Those who can’t afford it should go to a school in their budget.” Deputy director of school education N B Chavan refused to comment.