15 per cent fee hike in Kashmir private schools worries parents

SRINAGAR: Private schools in Kashmir, under the cover of a status quo order from the High Court, have hiked the tuition and other fees by a substantial 15 per cent, which has left many parents worried.

One of the leading private missionary schools has hiked the fees by Rs 350 per month, an increase of 18 per cent over the fees charged last year. In fact, the school has increased the tuition fees over the past three years by almost 100 per cent now.

"When my daughter got admission in this school in 2010, the monthly tuition fee was only Rs 1200. From this month onwards, I am supposed to pay Rs 2300 per month," Mohammad Shafi, a parent, said.

He said the transportation charges have also nearly doubled in the past three years from Rs 600 per month to present Rs 1100. "There has been no hike in transportation charges this year so far," Shafi added.

Fayaz Ahmad, whose two daughters are enrolled in a leading 'Girls Only' school of the valley, said the school management had thrown all government guidelines and the Supreme Court orders to wind.

"There is strict ban on capitation fees or donations imposed by the Supreme Court. However, the school charged Rs 25,000 as donation and even gave a receipt for the same," he claimed.

Ahmad said the school management has affected an increase of 15 per cent in the tuition fees this year.

The schools are also imposing annual sundry charges like development fees, library fees and medical fees.

The schools are even putting the synonyms to good use. One of the schools has levied Rs 575 for 'Excursion and Extracurricular' activities and another Rs 575 per year as 'Physical Training and Outings' charge.