CBSE schools not to charge exorbitant fees

The Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE) board has asked all its schools to follow the prescribed fee structure set by the state concerned.

This follows Karnataka high court's January order to schools affiliated to CBSE and Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) to follow the Karnataka Education Act, 1988, while setting fee structures.The CBSE schools now cannot charge exorbitant fees as the board has prohibited collection of capitation fees and donations and will have a uniform fee structure.However, the ICSE board has not issued any such circular to its schools.

There have been a protest against the CBSE and ICSE schools that they have been charging exorbitant fees in the absence of a regulatory body monitoring their actions.This is much needed decision to end the commercialisation of education.However, several CBSE schools hold objection over fixing fee structure by state government.

While the Right to Education (RTE) Act mandates all schools, irrespective of the boards, to be governed by the state education department.The private schools following ICSE and CBSE syllabus explained that they cannot simultaneously follow rules and regulations formulated by state government and their respective boards.The court also have pronounced that these educational institutions are out of the ambit of state government's powers to regulate their fee and admission.