Gujarat Assembly passes Gujarat Self Finance School (Regulation of Fees Bill – 2017)

Gandhinagar: The Gujarat Self Finance School (Regulation of Fees Bill – 2017) was passed today in Gujarat assembly. The bill was moved by Education minister Shri Bhupendrasinh Chudasama.

After new rules are formed under this act, Chairmen and members of zone/revision level committees Will be appointed by the government.

The government pointed out that expenditure in primary education is Rs 13,000 while in secondary and higher secondary it is Rs 25,200. In view of this, primary education annual fee in this bill has been fixed at Rs 15,000, while for secondary education it will be Rs 25,000 and for higher secondary it will be Rs 27,000. To fix/collect fees above this mark, school management will need to make representation before the committee appointed by the State government. The school management will need to justify the proposal to increase fees before the committee. Schools that collect fees below the ceiling fixed by government will not need to come before the committee. As per the provision in the bill, schools will be asked to file affidavit. The committee will go through related details and hold hearing in which school management will have chance to represent their side.

The government will form four Zone Fee Regulatory Committees for Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot and Surat which will cover all districts of related region.

Such committee will be headed by one of former district judges or retired additional district judges or retired IAS officers(Principal Secretary rank) or former IPS officers(ADGP rank). Among other members, include self finance school management representative, government appointed Chartered Accountant, government named civil engineer/govt approved valuer, govt appointed educationist. Related district education officer or district primary education officer will serve as coordinator in the committee.

Schools that have collected fees higher than the mark fixed in this bill for upcoming academic year of 2017-18 will need to compensate/adjust the fee after the review by committee. Fees higher than the amount fixed in this bill, but collected in previous years will not be needed to return/adjust/compensate.

 

 

Gujarat has 9384 self-financed primary schools, 3831 self financed secondary schools and 3032 self financed higher secondary schools.

The bill has provision of fine upto Rs 5 lakh for first breach of rules, Rs 5-10 lakh for second time breach of rules and cancellation of approval for third time breach of rules. In addition to payment of fine, the school management will need to return double the amount of additional fee collected beyond permitted figure. Such re-payment will need to be done within 15 days of order. Beyond that 1% of total amount will be collected as fine. If not paid in 3 month-period, the amount will be treated and collected as pending land revenue amount.

The committee will have power to proceed on “Suo Motu” basis or in response of applicant. The school management will be provided chance for representation.

The bill has provision that the schools that collect fees below the level fixed by the government will get exemption from the procedure of fees structuring. Only play group, Ghodiya ghar, Purva prathmic schools will be exempted under this provision.

Schools or institutions disagreeing with Zonal Fee Regulatory Committee decision will have to go to a committee headed by former High Court judge. This committee will have education department secretary, finance secretary, primary school director or secretary, secretary secondary and higher secondary, government appointed chartered accountant and government appointed representative of self finance school management.

DeshGujarat