No fee hike beyond eight percent in city schools

CHANDIGARH: In a first, the education department on Tuesday officially issued a notice to principals of private schools regarding regulating fee of Unaided Educational Institutions in the UT of Chandigarh. Schools have been asked to comply with the Punjab Regulation of Fee of unaided educational Institution Act 2016 which was extended to UT Chandigarh on April 13 by the ministry of home affairs.The Act prohibits commercialization and hike in fees beyond 8%.

In the meeting last week, schools were verbally told about the Act and were told not increase fee above 8%. This is the first time UT education department has officially shared the notice with the private unaided recognized schools.
The department has also sent a copy of notification issued by the MHA in April and a copy of the regulatory body for regulating the fees in unaided educational institutions. This was formed by Chandigarh in September.
Fee Act on UT site
Besides sending it to schools on Tuesday, the department even uploaded the same on its website with an aim to let residents, especially parents, know about the Act.
The notice issued to all schools by district education officer Anujit Kaur read as “for you information and necessary action.” According to officials, parents too need to know about whom to contact in case they have a complaint to lodge.
The private schools, however, seemed unhappy. A school head-cum-member, Independent Schools Association, said, “ We have already challenged the Act when it was implemented in Punjab and now that it has been extended to UT schools we will soon be dragging the UT administration.