THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, March 25: The 18th day of the budget session of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly began with discussions once again focusing on the arbitrariness of private schools and the collection of money in the name of re-admission.
For years, private schools in Jharkhand have been accused of arbitrary fee hikes, charging exorbitant amounts for re-admission, books, uniforms, and other non-tuition expenses. Parents and students have repeatedly protested against these practices, but government intervention has been largely ineffective. Despite existing regulations, many private schools continue to flout norms due to weak enforcement. The committees and tribunals meant to oversee fee structures often fail to take concrete action, leaving parents with little choice but to comply with school management’s demands.
Speaker Calls for a Law
On Tuesday, Hazaribagh MLA Pradeep Prasad raised concerns about the unregulated fee structure of private schools, asking why a law should not be enacted to control these practices. He pointed out that almost every private school collects money under the pretext of re-admission, burdening parents financially.
Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi added that while a committee under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) exists to regulate private schools, there is little clarity on how frequently meetings are held and what actions have been taken. He stressed the need for better oversight and regular reviews by district authorities.
Assembly Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahto acknowledged the gravity of the situation and stated that a law must be introduced to regulate private school fees. Education Minister Ramdas Soren responded that committees exist at both the school and district levels to oversee fee structures and any legal measures would be based on recommendations from these committees.
MLA Navin Jaiswal pointed out that private schools charge between ₹20,000 to ₹25,000 annually for re-admission, further highlighting the financial strain on parents. Pradeep Prasad reiterated the need for stricter legal provisions to prevent schools from exploiting students and their families.
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Marandi emphasized that every district has a committee chaired by the DC to monitor private schools. He insisted that DCs must be held accountable for conducting regular meetings, ideally monthly, to ensure compliance with regulations.
In response, Education Minister Ramdas Soren explained that every school has a management committee comprising parents, principals, and teachers. If any irregularities occur, a district-level committee—including MPs and MLAs—is responsible for addressing them. He further stated that penalties ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹2.5 lakh are imposed for violations. In cases of repeated misconduct, a school’s recognition may be revoked.
Legal Developments
The Education Minister also provided updates on legal matters related to private schools. He mentioned that 37 private schools affiliated with the CBSE Board had challenged the provisions of the Jharkhand Education Tribunal (Amendment) Act, 2017, by filing W.P. (C.) No. 2025/2019 (D.B.M.S. Kadma High School vs. State of Jharkhand) along with 36 similar cases in the High Court. However, on March 14, 2024, the High Court dismissed these cases following their withdrawal.
Despite legal provisions and committees in place, enforcement remains a challenge. Many private schools continue to operate without transparency, charging excessive fees while parents struggle to find alternatives. Concluding the discussion, the Speaker stressed the urgency of enacting a law to curb these irregularities and ensure that children receive education without financial exploitation.
