KSCPCR issues notices to Bengaluru schools over excessive fees

The Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) has issued notices to three top private schools in Bengaluru affiliated with the Central Board curriculum, following allegations of charging exorbitant and "unscientific" fees for tuition and textbooks. The action comes after a formal complaint was submitted by the Samriddhi Bharat Foundation.

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The Commission sent notices to the schools on April 16, demanding a response along with supporting documentation within three days. If the schools fail to provide satisfactory explanations, the Commission has indicated that it may recommend legal action under the Right to Education Act, 2009, through the Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL).

According to existing regulations, private schools are allowed to hike fees annually by 10% to 12%, based on their infrastructure and facilities. They are also required to display the fee structure publicly and submit it to the government. However, the absence of a Fee Regulation Committee at the state level has made monitoring difficult.

This academic year, many private schools reportedly increased fees by 30% to 40%, attributing the hike to rising staff salaries and infrastructure development. This has triggered concerns among parents, especially in the context of ongoing inflation.