Government may direct private schools in J&K to reduce tuition fees of students by 30%

Srinagar: Government of Jammu and Kashmir may direct private schools to reduce tuition fees of students by 30% in view of closure of schools due to coronavirus lockdown from March to September 2020.

Principal Secretary School Education and Skill Development Dr. Asgar Samoon in a tweet said, “in view of recent judgements of High courts of Madras & Rajasthan; Govt may direct private schools to reduce tuition fees of students by 30% in view of closure of schools due to covid 19 lockdown for March to Sept 2020; views of parents & management solicited.”

Recently Rajasthan High Court directed private schools to collect only 70% tuition fees from students in three installments.

The Court said, “The said 70 percent of the tuition fees shall be paid for the period from March 2020 in three instalments to the respective schools. However, it is being made clear that on non-payment of the said fees the student(s) may not be allowed to join online classes, but shall not be expelled from the school. The three instalments shall be fixed by depositing the first instalment on or before September 30, while the second instalment shall be paid by November 30 and the third by January 31, 2021.”

Similarly Madras High Court allowed schools to collect an ‘advance’ fee of 40% from students before August 31 as an interim measure. The remaining 35% of the fee (minus 40% advance) shall be collected within two months from the date of reopening of institutions and commencement of physical classes.