At a time when Hyderabad parents have been conducting extensive campaigns protesting against the fee hike in the city, several schools have still been charging excessive fees for this academic year.
One such private school has been booked by Narayanguda police.
Following a complaint filed by a Hyderabad-based anti-corruption activist, Vijay Gopal, the police registered an FIR under Sections 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) and 418 (Cheating with knowledge that wrongful loss may ensue to person whose interest, offender is bound to protect) of the IPC against Narayana Concept School.
The founder of the school is Andhra Pradesh minister and Narayana Group owner, P Narayana.
“Initially the complaint was filed on February 18, the then inspector sat on the complaint for two months, he has been irresponsible in his position. But the new Station House Officer requested for a fresh complaint hence I considered and gave an another one on May 11,” Vijay Gopal, the activist who filed the complaint, told The News Minute.
The complaint was filed against the school for charging excess fees and for taking donations in violation of government rules.
According to Government Order MS 91, application fees cannot exceed Rs 100 and registration fees cannot exceed Rs 500 for private unaided schools. Apart from that, the admission fee cannot exceed Rs 5000.
“However, the school has been charging application fee of Rs 300 and admission fee upto Rs 40,000,” said Vijay.
TNM tried to get in touch with the school several times, however the calls went unanswered.
Vijay also said that the admission fee according to rules is supposed to be refundable, but the school has been taking Rs. 1000 extra as caution money apart from the admission fee.
“We have not sent any notice to the school yet. The case is under investigation. We will accordingly send notice to the school in a few days,” said Inspector B Ravindar.
“For standard 6 to 9, the school is charging Rs 10,000 admission fee, while for class 10, the admission fee goes up to Rs 40,000 and more. In addition to this, they are charging Rs 1000 extra for building maintenance,” Vijay alleged.
However, this is not the first time that the activist has filed a complaint against a private school.
Earlier this year, Vijay had filed a complaint against CGR International School and Manthan International School for the same reason.
The schools were allegedly charging in excess of application fees and registration fees.
In January this year, the Hyderabad Schools Parents' Association (HSPA) also filed a complaint against four schools in Hyderabad.
The four schools viz. Sloka, the Hyderabad Waldorf School (Jubilee Hills), Jubilee Hills Kindergarten School, Phoenix Greens School and Green Gables School were charging admission fee more than Rs 5000.
It was reported that the association had submitted proof of excessive fee collection in the form of printed fee structures along with the copies of the government orders and government circulars.
“We have been filing complaints, with proofs. What more does the government need? We have even gone to High Court, but still no action is taken against these schools. The schools are owned by politicians and businessmen, that’s why no action is taken against them. Government should listen to the plight of the parents who have to pay these huge amounts to educate their children,” said Ashish Naredi from HSPA.