SRINAGAR: Parents today complained that Tyndale Biscoe and Mallinson higher secondary school have abruptly increased the annual fee for the current academic session (April 2023 to March 2024) without taking them on board.
 
They said that this has been done even without the formal approval from the competent authority.
  
“In this era when the business in Kashmir valley has shuddered, Tyndale Biscoe and Mallinson higher secondary school enhanced the annual fee by over Rs 2000 without approval from the school fee fixation committee constituted to regulate the fee structure of the private schools,” parents claimed.
  
A group of parents told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that the hike is arbitrary just to fleece the parents. “We are afraid that the school will be encouraged and will keep on increasing annual fee every year if we don’t protest,” they said.
  
Ironically, Tyndale Biscoe and Mallinson higher secondary school this time also charged Rs 3000 as a camp charge which earlier was included in the annual fee.
 
“This time not only the school increased the annual fee but it also separately charged Rs 3000 for summer camp,” parents said.
 
Despite repeated attempts to contact the school authorities, there was no response to phone calls.
 
Meanwhile, reports said that other private schools even those where students roll is below expectation and offer facilities to students below par have increased the annual fee, much against the will of the parents.
  
Director Education Kashmir Mr Tasaduq Hussain said that a school is supposed to charge the annual fee on the basis of the facilities it is offering to the students. He said a school can’t force parents to pay the annual fee in one go. Parents can pay the annual fee in installments.
 
The Director Education further said that action will be initiated against the school which charges extra from parents. (KNT)