Private schools in J&K directed to clearly mention fee heads in receipts

Ziraat Times News Desk

Srinagar: The Committee for Fixation and Regulation of Fee of Private Schools, Jammu & Kashmir (FFRC), has issued strict directions to all private schools in the Union Territory to ensure transparency in the collection of fees from students.

In a circular issued by FFRC Chairperson Justice (Retd.) Sunil Hali, a copy of which has been shared with Ziraat Times, schools have been instructed to clearly mention the break-up of the fees under specific heads in every receipt provided to parents. The directive comes after it was observed that several private schools were issuing receipts without detailing the permissible fee components.

According to the circular, all schools must distinctly reflect the amounts charged under the following categories:

• Tuition Fee

• Annual Fee

• Transport Fee

• Any other charge duly approved/allowed under rules

The FFRC warned that any violation of these instructions would be treated as a contravention of the J&K School Education Act, 2002 and the J&K Private Schools (Fee Regulation) Rules, 2022. Schools found defaulting would face strict action as warranted under law.

“The managements of private schools shall strictly adhere to these directions while collecting and acknowledging fees from students,” the circular stated.

Copies of the order have been forwarded to the School Education Department, Directors of School Education in Kashmir and Jammu, Chief Education Officers, and all private schools in J&K UT for immediate compliance. The circular has also been uploaded on the official website of the FFRC.

The move aims to bring greater accountability and transparency in school fee collection, an issue that has been a long-standing concern for parents across the Union Territory.