Jabalpur
The MP High Court gave a big verdict on the arbitrary fees of private schools. The couple of Chief Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Vivek Jain said that if the schools have increased the fees of more than 10 percent 2018 or before, then the money will have to be returned to the parents.
The matter came to light during the hearing on the petition filed by the parents against the illegal fees of the schools. The court has also instructed schools to deposit fees. The next hearing on the case will be held on 17 March.
How the case started
The case started by the parents filing a petition in the High Court against the arbitrary fees hike of private schools. Parents said that schools are charging more fees. Due to this, they are facing problems at the economic level. This petition was heard.
The rules are not being followed
Advocate advocate Surendra Verma argued in the court that the rules of the School Exchange Act 2018 made by the MP government are not being followed. Orders are being ordered to recover fees from parents at one time. On this, the court questioned why parents are not depositing fees. The petitioners’ counsel replied that the parents have deposited 70% fees. But the remaining fees are in the court, so that fee has not been deposited yet.
Private schools arguments
On behalf of private schools, advocate Anshuman Singh cited the High Court order of 13 August 2024. He said that according to the 2018 rule, it is allowed to increase the fees by 10 percent. Work is being done accordingly.
Fee will have to be returned- Court decision
After this, the court gave its verdict. The court said that private schools will have to pay 50 percent fees in three days and the remaining 50 percent fees within three months. The court also clarified that if a school has increased the fees of more than 10 percent, then the amount recovered will have to be returned to the parents. This decision is a great relief for parents. This is expected to stop the arbitrariness of schools.