Private Schools’ Fee Recovery Under RTI Scrutiny, Query Forwarded to JK-FFRC
Srinagar, Oct 22: A Right to Information (RTI) application seeking clarity on fee recovery policies by private schools in Jammu and Kashmir has been redirected by the School Education Department to the Jammu and Kashmir Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee (JK-FFRC), terming it the competent authority to deal with such matters.
The RTI was filed by Muhammad Suhail Dar, a resident of Barzulla, Srinagar, on September 3, 2025, under registration number DKSED/R/2025/80078/1. In his application, Dar sought certified copies of government circulars, guidelines, and legal provisions that authorize private schools to take punitive measures against students or parents for non-payment of tuition fees. He also questioned whether schools are permitted to withhold transfer certificates, mark sheets, or deny examination access over unpaid dues.
The Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) acknowledged the RTI and subsequently forwarded it to the Chief Education Officer (CEO), Srinagar, for response. In its internal note, the CEO’s office clarified that the issue “pertains to Chairman JK-FFRC and not the General Section of this office,” forwarding the matter for appropriate action.
On October 18, 2025, the CEO Srinagar formally replied to the applicant via communication No. CEO/SGR/Estt./RTI/11447-48, confirming that all queries raised “pertain to Chairman JK-FFRC,” and directing the applicant to approach the Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee for the required information.
Dar’s RTI included ten key questions, among them whether private schools are legally empowered to expel or suspend students for unpaid fees, the statutory framework supporting such actions, and the number of complaints received from parents alleging harassment over fee recovery between 2015 and 2025. He also requested any departmental orders or follow-ups related to a reported statement by the FFRC Chairman in August 2025 regarding action against parents defaulting on school fees.
The response highlights that while the School Education Department oversees administrative matters, the regulation and enforcement of private school fee structures and recovery fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the JK-FFRC.
The applicant has now been advised to directly approach the Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee for detailed information and policy documents on fee recovery and disciplinary actions by private educational institutions in Jammu and Kashmir.
Source: Kashmir News Trust (KNT)
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