OLPS School told to refund excess fees collected from students

The education inspector has also recommended appointing an auditor to probe excess money collected by the school in the previous years.

“After receiving a complaint,we conducted an inquiry and found that the school was charging unauthorised fees. We have asked the school to refund the excess fees collected and submit a report,” said Dongre.

He has also written to the deputy director of school education to appoint a senior auditor to determine excess fees collected in previous years.

“An auditor can check details such as the total amount collected,the number of students who have been charged more and under what heads,” Dongre said.

Despite several attempts,father Paul Julius,manager of the school,could not be contacted.

“Many of us have paid for fear of victimisation of our children. The order of the education inspector is a welcome relief,” said a parent.

Jayant Jain,president of NGO Forum for Fairness in Education that lodged the complaint against the school,said the collection was illegal and prohibited under section 4 of Prohibition of Capitation Fee Act,1987 (Government of Maharashtra).

“The initial circular issued by the school was for book money but after we filed the complaint,it issued bogus receipts under different heads,a few of them of third party. The receipts might have been printed overnight as they did not carry a VAT registration number. The education inspector has also mentioned in his order that the school issued bogus receipts,” he said.