Schools' abnormal fee hike: Parents complain to child rights panel

Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) has been flooded with complaints from parents against several top private unaided schools in the city.

A majority of the complaints pertain to abnormal fee hikes, lack of transparency in fee revisions, and schools insisting that parents purchase textbooks, shoes, bags, and other materials from specific vendors.

Following these complaints, the commission has issued notices to some of the schools, most of which are affiliated to the Central Board.

Speaking to DH, K Naganna Gowda, chairperson of the commission, said, "We have received over 300 complaints this year and are issuing notices based on the seriousness of the issue. On Wednesday, we issued notices to three schools run by a prestigious group in Central Bengaluru."

Gowda also stated that he would write to the Commissioner for School Education, seeking action against schools found violating children's rights under the Right to Education (RTE) Act.

As per norms, schools are allowed to increase fees annually by 10 to 12%.

"We have also registered a few suo motu complaints based on media reports about abnormal fee hikes. The government should take the issue of fee fixation seriously and monitor schools to determine the basis on which fees are being raised," he added. He further mentioned that some schools have increased fees by up to 40% this year.

The commission is also examining complaints alleging that schools have harassed parents and punished children when requests were made for transfer certificates.

"Some schools are accused of harassing parents by demanding payment of the full year’s fees before issuing transfer certificates. Some have even allegedly imposed corporal punishment on children. We are verifying such cases, and if the allegations are proved during inquiry, we will recommend action as per the RTE Act," Gowda stated.