Hike fees more than 10% and lose school licence: Guj Minister

Gujarat state education minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama came down heavilyon schools on Monday saying that the education department would cancel the licence of any school that raises its fee by over 10% annually, without approval. Chudasama further instructed education department officers to ensure that schools charge fees only on a monthly basis as against annual or quarterly as is the practice by some schools.

This warning was issued after a meeting with the education department revealed that multiple complaints had been received about schools increasing fees by more than 10%, which is against circulars issued by the education department.

Besides the fees, the officials were asked to ensure that the schools do not coerce parents into buying books and dresses from any specific vendor. The minister was also against schools imposing different dresses for each day, putting additional financial burden on parents.

During the meeting, the onus of taking appropriate action against parents complaints was passed on to the district education officer (DEO) and the district primary officers.

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Officials said that they have received complaints that schools were asking parents to purchase 3 dresses, a regular uniform, a house t-shirt and a white uniform. The total burden of this alone comes to more than Rs 2,100 leaving aside the costs for socks, shoes, ties or belts.