Chandigarh: Private schools to declare income; can't raise fees arbitrarily
What's the story
Private schools in Chandigarh will now have to declare their income and expenditure every year and won't be able to raise fee arbitrarily. In a gazette notification, the UT division of Home Ministry also said no part of income from private schools shall be diverted to any individual in trust or school management committee and it cannot indulge in profiteering or charge capitation fee.
Notification
Central government made certain modifications in Fee Regulation Act
The notification came after the Central government decided to extend to Chandigarh (as a Union Territory) the Punjab Regulation of Fee of Unaided Educational Institution Act, 2016 with certain modifications. The Gazette was signed by the Additional Secretary PK Srivastava in the Home Ministry. Being a Union Territory, Chandigarh comes under the direct administrative control of the Home Ministry.
Information
Savings will be utilized for promoting unaided educational institutions
The savings, if any, after meeting the recurring and non-recurring expenditure and contributions to developmental, depreciation and contingency funds may be utilized for promoting the unaided educational institutions concerned.
Increase in fee
Can increase fees if funds are required to run institution
A private school/institute shall be competent to fix its fee and it may also increase the same after taking into account the need to generate funds to run institution and to provide facilities necessary for student's benefit. However, increase in fee won't exceed 8% of the fee of previous-year, it cannot indulge in profiteering and it cannot charge capitation fee, the notification said.
Information
A regulatory body will monitor the activities of institutions
A regulatory body, with Education Secretary of Chandigarh administration as its Chairperson and comprising five other members, will be set up to monitor the activities of private schools and unaided academic institutes.
Punishment
Schools have to pay fine if they violate new provisions
If any private school violates provisions for first-time, then they have to give fine of Rs. 60,000 in primary level case, Rs. 1,00,000 in middle-level and Rs. 2,00,000 in secondary/senior secondary level. For second-time violation, they have to pay Rs. 1,20,000 fine in primary-level case, Rs.0 2,00,000 for middle-level, and Rs. 4,00,000 for secondary/senior secondary level. For third-time violation, school's affiliation will be canceled.