SC directs schools to collect fees after 15% deductions
JODHPUR: academic year 2020-21 as was fixed for 2019-20 on which some of the school managements could have legitimately asked for increase of at least 10 per cent in terms of Section 6(5) of the Act of 2016.”
“The amount so payable by the concerned students will be paid in six equal monthly instalments before August 5, 2021. It will be open to the concerned schools to give further concession to their students or to evolve a different pattern for giving concession over and above these clauses,” the bench said.
“The school management shall not debar any student from attending either online classes or physical classes on account of non-payment of fees, arrears/ outstanding fees including the installments...” issuing general uniform direction of deduction of 15 per cent of the annual school fees in lieu of unutilised facilities/ activities and not on the basis of actual data school-wise. We have chosen to do so with a view to obviating avoidable litigation and to give finality to the issue of determination and collection of school fees for the academic year 2020-21, as a one-time measure which is the subject matter of these appeals,” the bench said.
“We have consciously limited the quantum of deduction from annual school fees to 15 per cent although the school management had mentioned about its willingness to provide 25 per cent scholarship to deserving students, as we have compelled the school management to collect annual school fees for the
htraj@htlive.com
The Supreme Court on Monday directed that the management of about 36,000 private schools operating in Rajasthan collect annual school fees from their students as fixed under the Rajasthan Schools (Regulation of Fee) Act, 2016 for the academic year 2019-20, but by providing deduction of 15 per cent on that amount in lieu of unutilised facilities by the students in academic year 2020-21.
While setting aside the judgment of Rajasthan high court, a division bench of Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice Dinesh Maheshwari disposed of the appeals filed on behalf of private schools. The bench said: “We are conscious of the fact that we are