Parents file complaints against unjustified fee hikes in pvt schools

The Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSPCRC) has received multiple complaints from parents against several private unaided schools in the city. Most complaints highlight issues such as steep fee hikes, lack of transparency in fee revisions, and schools forcing parents to purchase textbooks, shoes, bags, and other items from specific vendors.

In response to these grievances, the Commission has issued notices to a few schools, the majority of which are affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). K. Naganna Gowda, the Chairperson of KSPCRC, stated, “This year, we have received over 300 complaints, and based on the severity of the issues, we are issuing notices. On Wednesday, we issued notices to three schools run by a reputed group in central Bengaluru.” He further mentioned that the Commission would write to the State Education Commissioner, urging action against schools that violate children’s rights under the Right to Education (RTE) Act. As per regulations, schools are permitted to increase fees by 10 to 12% annually.

However, the Commission has taken note of reports of unreasonable fee hikes, with some schools increasing fees by as much as 40%. Gowda emphasized that the government should address the fee fixation issue seriously and monitor schools to ensure fee hikes are justified and transparent. The KSPCRC continues to scrutinize complaints to protect the rights of children and ensure fair practices in education.