Schools must justify fee hike, says G Noida DIOS

The District Inspector of Schools (DIOS) today said private schools should not be under the impression that the administration has no jurisdiction over them as they are self-financed institutions.
The officer, P K Upadhyay, also appealed to school managements to give parents a satisfactory explanation on fee hikes.
"If the schools do not do so, the district administration will take action on complaints by parents. Private schools are under the wrong impression that the district administration has no jurisdiction on them as they are self-financed institutions," he warned.
For running educational institution one has to take a no objection certificate (NOC) from the state government, which clearly states that there will be no unjustified hike in fee, Upadhyay said.

Fee hike should be commensurate with facilities, the officer said, adding that the administration can audit their accounts and can recommend withdrawal of NOC.
"Further private schools managements generally say majority of parents have paid the hiked fee. This does not justify the increase.

"Complaints by even a few parents is enough to order an inquiry. The district administration can seek their balance sheet and investigate," Upadhyay said.
Last week some parents had met the DIOS and lodged a complaint alleging that the fee was hiked without justification.
"We have to investigate whether fee charges are commensurate with facilities as per permissible norms," the DIOS said.