SRINAGAR, DEC 23: In a significant move, the Jammu and Kashmir School Education Department (SED) is taking stringent measures against recognized private schools for allegedly collecting capitation fees and conducting screening tests during kindergarten admissions.
The Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) issued a warning to private schools, emphasizing the need to cease charging capitation fees and other non-notified fees, along with discontinuing the practice of screening procedures for admission.
According to the circular released by DSEK, any deviation from these instructions by a school may result in the initiation of actions under rules, potentially leading to the cancellation of the school’s registration. This directive follows closely after the Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee (FFRC) warned private schools of a possible CBI probe for collecting admission fees without providing receipts during kindergarten admissions.
The circular cites Section 13 of the Right to Education Act 2009, highlighting that schools should not collect capitation fees or subject children and their parents to any screening procedures during admissions. Any school found contravening these provisions may face fines, with the possibility of fines extending up to ten times the charged capitation fee.
DSEK clarified that capitation fees include any form of donation, admission fee, contribution, or payment beyond the fees officially notified by the school. The objective of these provisions is to ensure non-discriminatory, rational, and transparent admission procedures. The circular strongly emphasizes that schools should refrain from conducting admission tests and interviews, emphasizing the importance of providing equal opportunities to children from diverse social and economic backgrounds.
Acknowledging complaints from parents and civil society, DSEK emphasized that demanding admission fees by private schools is against the law and a punishable offense. With private schools gearing up for kindergarten admissions, repeated warnings have been issued to adhere to these guidelines. In addition, DSEK appointed Chief Education Officers (CEOs) as nodal officers in their respective jurisdictions to ensure the implementation of these instructions. Joint Directors, Cluster Heads, and Zonal Education Officers are also tasked with monitoring the implementation within their respective areas. All school heads have been directed to strictly follow the instructions outlined in the circular.
