Allahabad HC asks UP govt if it has regulated private school fees in state

By LE Staff

Allahabad, July 1, 2021: The Allahabad High Court has issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government and private schools associations and sought their response on a bunch of pleas seeking regulation of private school fees by laying down a policy for charging uniform fees across the state.  

The pleas came up for hearing before a division bench of Acting Chief Justice MN Bhandari and Justice Rajendra Kumar. 

On the prayer of the parents association and their representation highlighting arbitrary practices and callous approach by schools though profiteering from financially distraught parents, the Bench asked the state if they have taken any action in regard to school fees, especially in the period of Covid-19.

The petitions sought relaxation of schools fees to the tune of 50 per cent besides waiver of other miscellaneous charges, stressing on the fact that classes are being held online due to the pandemic.

The petitions also sought issuance of direction to the state government for laying down any policy/framework for charging of uniform fees in respect of ‘Online Tuition’, or otherwise, under the UP Self-Financed Independent Schools Act, 2018.

The petitioners also said there should be complete waiver of the fees during the period of nationwide lock-downs and the closure of all the schools, as no service was provided during such a period. The pleas said directions be issued for re-admission of students as they were expelled due to non-payment of fees.

In the course of hearing, the counsel for the school raised an objection, saying the petition pertains to “personal interest” and not “public”.

However, the counsel for petitioners urged for restraining any coercive action against any students in the form of preventing students from attending classes for failure to pay fees.

Reverting to the same, the counsel for one of the schools said no such action has been taken and no incident has been reported.