Private schools in Kashmir continue to demand hefty capitation fees and donations from parents during admissions, despite clear orders from the government prohibiting such practices. It’s time for parents to become self-aware and proactive in reporting any schools demanding illegal admission charges.
The J&K government has made it abundantly clear that private schools cannot charge capitation fees or put children through screening tests during the admission process. The Right to Education Act of 2009 strictly prohibits schools from collecting any capitation fee or subjecting students to screening procedures. Schools found violating this law can face fines up to 10 times the illegal fee collected.
Unfortunately, the repeated circulars and orders issued by authorities have failed to curb this persistent problem on the ground. Private schools continue to flout the rules by demanding donations and development funds from parents under different guises during admission season. Many schools don’t even provide receipts for these illegal payments.
It’s high time parents in Kashmir become aware of their rights and responsibilities. They should unitedly resist any demands for capitation fees or illegal admissions charges by private schools. Only by being proactive can they put an end to this unethical and unlawful practice plaguing the education sector.
The onus is on the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) to strictly implement the government’s orders and take action against errant schools. However, parents cannot shrug off responsibility either. They must become self-aware, proactive, and promptly report any instances of schools demanding capitation fees or donations to the authorities.
Parents need to realize it is not the right of private schools to extract hefty admission charges beyond the regulated fee structure. By succumbing to such demands, they are indirectly enabling these illegal practices to continue unchecked.
In December 2023, DSEK Director Tasaduq Hussain Mir warned private schools of cancellation of registration and penalties if they persisted in collecting capitation fees or forced admissions through screening tests. The government has also empowered Deputy Commissioners to address this issue in their respective districts.
It’s high time parents in Kashmir become aware of their rights and responsibilities. They should unitedly resist any demands for capitation fees or illegal admissions charges by private schools. Only by being proactive can they put an end to this unethical and unlawful practice plaguing the education sector.
