SC issues notice to parents' body over non-payment of school fees in Rajasthan

The Supreme Court issued notice to parents' association over a petition filed by Progressive Schools Association and Society of Catholic educational institutions in Rajasthan alleging students' refusal to pay reduced amount of fees. The SC had directed students to pay the slashed amount of 85% of school fees in view of the pandemic.

New Delhi:Acting on a petition filed by Rajasthan schools' management against non-payment of 85% of fees, the Supreme Court issued notice returnable in two weeks to the parents' association. The apex court had earlier in May directed private schools to slash 15% of fees in view of unutilised facilities amid the Covid pandemic. The petitions filed by the Progressive Schools Association and Society of Catholic educational institutions in Rajasthan stated that students are refusing to pay even the reduced amount.

The bench comprising of Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice Ajay Rastogi heard the matter. Senior advocate Vikas Singh appearing for them argued before the court that there are students who have not yet paid the fees even after attending examination and are refusing to pay in future as well.

Justice Khanwilkar said that the order passed by the SC was not issued in the spirit of giving liberty to students for never paying fees. The order had directed to permit them to attend the examination. The apex court order had permitted fees submission in six instalments before August 5, 2021, and schools were given the liberty to provide more concessions if suitable.

"You can issue general direction that representation was received by the state. The order doesn't say they will never pay. They won't be denied the permission to appear in the exam but that doesn't mean they will never pay," said J Khanwilkar.

"That was not the spirit of the direction issued by this court. This court had while reducing the fee for the academic year 2019-20 and onwards had expected the students to pay the amount within the time specified in the order itself and particularly in terms of concession given by the school management," noted the court in its order. The matter will be heard after two weeks.