Panel rejects appeals of 3 schools; excess fees to be refunded, ETEducation
Ahmedabad: The appeals filed by three city private schools — Zydus School at Godhavi, Tapovan School at Naranpura, and Sakar School at Chandkheda — before the revision committee, seeking approval of higher fees have been rejected by the panel. The committee upheld the fee structure determined by the Fee Regulatory Committee (FRC) and directed the schools that if any excess fee was already collected from students, it must be refunded.
With the rejection of these appeals, the FRC-approved fees for the academic years 2024–25, 2025–26, and 2026–27 remain applicable.
Sources said that some of these schools started collecting higher fees from students, assuming their revision applications would be accepted. Following the latest decision, they may now be required to refund substantial amounts, possibly ranging between Rs 5 crore and Rs 8 crore in total.
The FRC revises and determines the fee structure of private schools once every three years. Schools that disagree with the approved fees are allowed to file appeals before the revision committee. Several schools from Ahmedabad and other cities approached the committee seeking higher fees, but hearings are now concluded and final orders have been issued.
For the academic year 2024–25, the FRC approved significantly lower fees than what was demanded by the schools. Zydus School sought Rs 72,600 for primary classes but was granted Rs 59,800. For secondary classes, the demand of Rs 84,000 was reduced to Rs 70,100, while higher secondary fees were fixed at Rs 73,320 against a demand of Rs 87,600. Science stream fees were approved at Rs 77,175 compared to the requested Rs 91,500.
At Tapovan School, the FRC approved Rs 34,500 for pre-primary against a demand of Rs 64,582, Rs 37,500 for primary against Rs 70,831, and Rs 46,000 for secondary classes against Rs 74,830. Similarly, at Sakar School, Chandkheda, secondary-level fees were approved at Rs 31,970 against a demand of Rs 46,100.
Authorities emphasised that strict action will be taken to ensure compliance, and students must be refunded any excess fees collected.
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