Highcourt Orders 25% Reduction In School Fees Of Private Schools In This City; Stops Fees For Extracurricular Activities

Understanding the plight of parents, whose children are studying in private schools, High Court has ordered 25% reduction in fees with immediate effect.

This has happened in Calcutta (Kolkata).

What did the High Court say? Keep reading to find out more..

Calcutta High Court To Private Schools: Reduce 25% Fees

Parents from around 145 schools in and around Kolkata had approached Calcutta High Court to help them negotiate the school fees.

Since all the schools are closed, children are not going to schools, and every class is happening online.

They had filed a petition in High Court, requesting a reduction in fees since the schools are closed. Besides, the parents also demanded that fees for extracurricular activities be rolled back.

Accepting the plea, the High Court ordered 25% cut in the school fees with immediate effect.

This reduction in school fees will be effective April, 2020 till the date schools re-open.

Justice Bhattachary from Calcutta High Court said, “There are many parents who are diverting a substantial part of their disposable resources, at great personal sacrifice, to get their children admitted to high-end schools with superior educational infrastructure and amenities,”

No Fees For Extra Curricular Activities

Since the schools are closed, they cannot charge for extra-curricular activities as well.

The bench comprising of Justices Sanjib Banerjee and Moushumi Bhattacharya observed that schools cannot charge for activities such as “laboratory, craft, sporting facilities or extracurricular activities or the like, which are not availed of..”

In case parents have already paid the fees, then it shall be balanced off in the subsequent sessions.

In case the schools make losses, they can recover in the future.

The bench stated, “If any school makes a loss as a consequence of following these directions, such loss can be made up in course of the next two financial years, 2021-22 and 2022-23, if normal physical functioning resumes by March 31, 2021,”

Rcently Gujarat High Court too ordered 25% reduction in school fees of private schools in the state.

Will other private schools from other parts of India follow suit?

We will keep you updated, as more details come in.