Defiance Continues: Schools Persist in Illegally Charging Capitation Fees Despite Government Orders in Kashmir

 

 

Mudasir Yaqoob

Srinagar, March 27: Despite stern government directives, certain schools in Kashmir are brazenly flouting regulations by persistently demanding capitation fees from parents during the admission process, complaint parents.

The circular issued on December 23 by Tasaduq Hussain Mir, Director of School Education Kashmir, underlined the illegality of this practice, citing Section 13 of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009.

In a video, a parent is seen passionately expressing her grievances against Kashmir Harvard, a private school located at the city outskirts in Malabagh. In the footage, the parent recounts her distressing experience, revealing that she was allegedly asked to deposit a staggering Rs 85,000 as an ‘admission fee’.

The parent’s impassioned narrative sheds light on the exorbitant financial burden imposed on families seeking quality education for their children.

“This revelation further underscores the urgent need for regulatory intervention to curb such exploitative practices and ensure that education remains accessible to all socio-economic backgrounds,” said a group of parents.

Government has made it clear that that schools or individuals are prohibited from collecting capitation fees or subjecting students and their families to screening procedures during admissions. Violators of this provision could face fines up to ten times the capitation fee charged, as per circular issued by Directorate of School Education, Kashmir.

However, despite these warnings, some schools continue to disregard the law, raising significant concerns about accountability and adherence to educational standards.

Parents, outraged by the blatant defiance, voiced their frustrations.

 

“I am deeply troubled by the audacity of these schools to ignore government directives. Paying capitation fees is not only financially burdensome but also undermines the principles of equality and fairness in education,” lamented a concerned parent who preferred to remain anonymous.

The persistent disregard for government orders underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance with educational regulations and safeguard the rights of students and parents alike.
Director School Education Kashmir Tasaduq Mir didn’t respond to repeated calls and texts.

 

Haward School Manager Tariq Ahmad said that allegations leveled by a parent are baseless.

“There is no truth in the allegation. Actually there is a huge demand for admissions but we have enrolled students as per intake capacity of school. School is adhering to all directions issued by the government,” he said while replying to a query.