Education Department Acts Strictly Against Unauthorized Fees in Private Schools, Monitoring Teams Formed in Poonch

Toseef R Ganai
Poonch, April 8, 2025 – The Directorate of School Education Jammu has issued strict instructions to curb unauthorized fee collection by private schools across the Jammu Division. In response to repeated complaints from parents, the department has directed all recognized unaided private schools to follow the Jammu and Kashmir School Education Act, 2002, in letter and spirit. According to Circular No: DSEJ/Pvt/2025/11206-11709 dated 02-04-2025, the Directorate observed that several private schools were violating rules by charging admission fees, annual fees, and increasing tuition fees without the approval of the Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee (FFRC). This is not only illegal but also a punishable offense under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code if disobeyed.
Following the directive, the Chief Education Officer (CEO) Poonch, Iftikhar Ali Shah, issued Order No: CEOP/Pvt/14518-23 dated 07-04-2025, forming zone-wise special monitoring teams to inspect and ensure strict implementation of the rules. These teams have been tasked with submitting inspection reports and recommending action against violators.
The monitoring teams have been assigned to specific zones such as Poonch, Mandi, Surankote, Balakote, Mendhar, and others. Their job is to inspect schools, check fee records, and report any violations. Strict action will be taken against schools found guilty.
Each zone in District Poonch has been assigned specific officers including principals, Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs), and other education officials. Some of the appointed officers include; Anwar Khan, Principal HSS Boys Mandi for Poonch Zone, Anjuman Shaheen, Principal HSS Girls Poonch for Kanuyian Zone, Barket Hussain, Principal I/C, HSS Lassana for Surankote and Buffliaz, Mohd Yaseen, Principal, HSS Sawjian for Mandi Zone.
These officers have been instructed to visit schools, verify their fee structures, and check if schools are forcing students to buy uniforms, books, and stationery from specific shops.
As per the circular, schools must not Charge any fee other than tuition fee without FFRC approval, Force students to buy books, stationery, or uniforms from a particular vendor, Change uniforms frequently, causing extra burden on parents.
Parents are advised to cooperate with the monitoring teams and report any incident of overcharging or exploitation. Contact details of all zone-wise officers have been published to ensure transparency and ease of access. The CEO has also directed heads of all private schools to fully cooperate with the monitoring teams and produce all required records for verification. Non-compliance will attract strict penalties, including fines or even cancellation of school recognition.
This initiative by the Education Department is a welcome step for ensuring accountability, protecting parents’ interests, and bringing discipline to the private education sector in Jammu and Kashmir.