Who is at Fault: Parents Paying Hefty Fees for Social Status or Administration Failing to Regulate Franchise Schools Charging Excessive Donations?
Suhail Khan
Srinagar, Dec 05: Discussions about education in Jammu and Kashmir never seen to end. However, the focus often shifts to the issue of admission fees, particularly during enrollment periods. Despite the government’s ban on such fees, many private schools continue to charge them, raising questions about why parents are still willing to pay large sums to enroll their children in prestigious institutions. This practice not only violates regulations but also shifts the perception of education towards a business model rather than one that prioritizes the future well-being of children.
The Kashmir Despatch team spoke with numerous parents who expressed their frustrations regarding excessive admission fees and shared stories of unsuccessful attempts to enroll their children. It was revealed that many parents willingly pay significant amounts to secure places in high-profile schools to maintain their social status.
Last year, the Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee (FFRC) warned school administrators against charging admission fees during the enrollment process in Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing that such practices violate established statutes.
On Thursday, Jammu and Kashmir’s Education Minister, Sakina Itoo, announced that the government would take stringent action against private schools that breach these regulations.
“Anyone facing issues related to admission and capitation charges from private schools should approach the relevant authorities with proper evidence, and the government will ensure accountability and take action against these institutions,” she said.
However, this raises another important question: What about the parents who pressurize schools for exorbitant fees in exchange for their children’s admission?
In pursuit of further insights, Kashmir Despatch reached out to various institutions across the region to gather opinions on the concerns of both parents and schools.
Firdousa, a name changed for privacy, who leads a reputable institution in Srinagar, acknowledged that while many schools may indeed engage in improper practices by charging admission fees, the focus should also extend to parents. “Just as the government frequently issues statements against private institutions regarding these practices, shouldn’t there be warnings for parents who pay large sums without receiving receipts? Wrong is wrong, but why are regulations enforced selectively? Elite schools often escape scrutiny because parents willingly pay substantial amounts for admissions. Then, those same parents often voice their complaints when fee issues arise months later. While no one is forcing them to pay, many willingly pressure elite institutions for admittance. It is crucial for people to reflect on this situation and strive for change rather than allowing educational institutions to suffer further.”
Noor-ul-Amin, an admissions in-charge at a reputed school in North Kashmir, shared concerns regarding fee regulations imposed by the Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee (FFRC).
He stated that schools are no longer permitted to charge admission fees and have instead introduced annual charges alongside monthly tuition fees. However, this move has faced resistance from some parents, as annual fees for classes up to the 10th standard can amount to as much as Rs 1 lakh.
“Private schools are prohibited from charging admission fees. Yet, some parents are urging us to accept a one-time admission fee of Rs 60,000–70,000 instead of annual charges of Rs 8,000–10,000. Schools are in a dilemma about how to proceed,” Amin explained.
He further highlighted that affluent parents often prefer to pay a lump sum upfront, whereas those with limited financial means favor spreading the cost through annual charges of Rs 8,000–9,000 per year.
Nuzhat Rasool, a teacher at a Sopore-based school, revealed that donations are sometimes offered by parents seeking admission for their children, with amounts reaching as high as Rs 1-1.5 lakh in certain cases.
Shakir Ashraf, an administrator at a school in North Kashmir, told Kashmir Despatch, “There is no distinction between small and large schools that are managed locally here. When we review the results and infrastructure, it’s inaccurate to say that they have compromised on providing quality education along with institutional infrastructure.”
He said, “The schools that have been established recently are built according to the latest designs. We are in the era of AI; if we construct a new building, it will obviously adhere to modern architectural standards. However, what truly matters is the quality of education and the results. In this respect, we are not lagging behind, and we are consistently setting our standards higher.”
He stated, “We started our school a decade ago, and the buildings were constructed based on the standards of that time. That is not an issue. The salaries we provide to teachers are on par with those at GD Goenka and other schools. While some schools may offer an extra Rs 1,000 or Rs 2,000, they likely charge higher fees than we do.”
Shakir remarked that the results of private institutions in North Kashmir, such as SRM Welkin, Sanctorum, Neitherfield, Apex, and others consistently shine with commendable achievements, and these institutions have not fallen behind in providing quality education.
He said, “The unfortunate reality is that our locally managed schools are not favored by parents, who maintain that they must adhere to government directives. Consequently, because they are local, they comply with all orders issued by the government. However, in the case of franchise schools, the management and administration are often from outside, and parents do not negotiate with or oppose them. They are simply told to pay Rs 50,000 because the institution’s name is from elsewhere. When we examine results, we find that we perform far better than those institutions.”
He said, “We achieve better results and perform better in competition compared to those institutions. Unfortunately, local parents often perceive that we, being locals, may not be capable enough, while those from outside are seen as more qualified simply because they are not from here.”
He mentioned, “Additionally, if some private institutions charge admission fees contrary to government regulations, they always provide receipts. Even if they collect a single rupee more, it is utilized within the institutions. The sad part is that local parents pay large admission fees without obtaining any receipts, which means they share responsibility for the situation along with the schools.”
He said, “First, those parents should be held accountable, and only then should the schools be scrutinized for the money they charge. However, it is the parents who initiate this by putting pressure on the institutions, and later these same parents complain about other institutions, disregarding the fact that they pay large sums to maintain their status.”
He stated, “We charge an annual fee and provide proper receipts, but it is the parents who profit from these practices to enhance their own social status.”
He added, “These parents return after a year, lamenting about the issues their children face. Why not protest at the time when they pay extravagant fees to showcase their status? It is the parents who are primarily responsible for enabling such violations.”
He further said, “Overall, locally managed schools are declining while outside franchise schools continue to charge donations and admission fees without any hindrance. What they do with that money remains unknown to anyone.”
G.N. Var, President of the Private School Association of Jammu and Kashmir, told Kashmir Despatch that it is ultimately the parents who are responsible. While some institutions may be involved, we must not encourage wrong practices; wrong is wrong. Why should we enroll our children in institutions that operate solely as businesses? Why pay hefty amounts? Var emphasized that we should not respect corrupt individuals; if we do, we inadvertently respect their corruption as well.
Parents should avoid getting involved with such institutions and should refrain from enrolling their children in schools that charge excessive fees. Instead, they should file complaints against these institutions, ensuring that others do not follow suit and that the integrity of education is upheld, he added.
Sources from the Education Department also informed Kashmir Despatch that parents bear a significant responsibility, as they willingly pay substantial amounts to secure their children’s admissions. However, they indicated that “strict action” will be taken against any violators brought to their attention through proper legal channels.
Furthermore, sources added that “any parent who wishes to file a complaint can submit a written complaint to the FFRC or the School Education Department.”
The Way Forward
The admission fees crisis in Jammu and Kashmir underscores the need for systemic reform. While schools must adhere to regulations, parents also need to question their priorities and challenge exploitative practices.
