Pvt. schools told to disclose fee details every year

Authorities asked to hold meeting within 15 days of receiving complaints.

Observing that the State authorities woke up to complaints of “excess” fee only after some students approached the court, the High Court of Karnataka on Tuesday issued a series of guidelines for implementation of fee regulation norms and directed the State authorities to ensure that every recognised private school furnishes particulars of fees by January 15 every year.

Salary expenditure

Justice Aravind Kumar, in his directions, also directed school managements to furnish salary expenditure in list of teaching and non-teaching staff to the DDPI, including the number of students on the roll at the end of the previous academic year and the sanctioned strength, within February 15 of every academic year.

‘Not applicable’

The guidelines, however, will not be applicable to some schools, which secured a stay order from the High Court several years ago against the enforcement of the Karnataka Education Rules. The judge also said that guidelines were issued in the absence of a general stay order from the court against the enforcement of the Act and the Rules in the petitions that are pending adjudication.

Other disclosure

The managements, the court said, shall also indicate the proposed expansion, construction and renovation of the existing building or any other proposed development activities along with supporting documents to the DDPI by March 30 of every year. Also, educational institutions should prominently display in the school about receipt of donations or voluntary donations, other than the prescribed fee.

Referring to the laxity of officials in examining complaints of “excess” fee collection, the court directed the fee regulating authorities to hold a meeting within 15 days of receipt of any complaints from students/parents/guardians and pass orders in terms of the relevant rules.