Education is the key to a brighter future and parents go to great lengths to ensure their children receive quality education. However the pursuit of good schooling often leads parents to encounter unfair practices by some schools which may be in violation of government rules and regulations.
It is crucial to be aware of your rights as it empowers you to make an informed decision when choosing a school for your child. The implementation of the Uttar Pradesh Fee Regulation Act 2018 and the recent education reform via the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP) to standardize the entry age for admission to Class 1, are a step in the right direction towards a more transparent and accountable education system, the highlights of which are below:
U.P. Self-Financed Independent Schools (Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2018:
The above Act aims to regulate fees charged by self-financed independent (or private) schools in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It ensures transparency and prevents exorbitant fee hikes by such schools thus safeguarding the interests of parents from unjust fee hikes. Facts regarding certain heads of fees:
Annual Recurring Fee
Every recognized school must merge all categories of fees into a single recurring fee called ‘Composite School Fee’.
No school is now permitted to charge Development Fees, Building Fee or Annual Fees. If any school is charging any of these heads, you can ask them for a clarification and / or approach the local District Fee Regulatory Committee headed by the District Magistrate.
The Act does permit a school to charge:
Prospectus and Registration Fee – payable at the time of registration
Admission Fee – payable at the first time of new admission
Examination Fee – payable for examinations
Optional Fee
Fees for optional activities and facilities provided by the school are permissible as long as a parent has an option to either ‘opt-in’ or ‘opt-out’.
A school can not force or make it mandatory for a parent to pay such fees.
These may include transportation, boarding, mess or dining, excursions etc.
Refundable Charges
Security / Caution Money is permissible to be charged by a school. However the same is to be returned to a student when he / she leaves the school, subject to all dues having been cleared by the student.
The amount of Security / Caution Money will be a one-time fee paid at the time of admission to the school and can not exceed 50% of the Composite Annual Fee.
The school must refund the Security / Caution Money within 30-days from the issuance of the Transfer Certificate (TC), along with interest calculated at the prevailing rate of the State Bank of India savings account for the duration of the deposit with the school (applicable on Caution Money charged from date of enactment of the Act).
The Khaitan School does not charge any Security / Caution Money at the time of admission. Moreover, the Act mandates that schools display the fee structure of three consecutive years on their websites, making it easily accessible for parents to compare and make informed decisions regarding their children’s education. Click here to see our fee structure.
Minimum age for admission to Class 1 revised to 6-years from session 2024-25
According to the NEP 2020 and its implementation in the State of U.P, children are to be admitted to Class-1 at the age of 6-years from the academic session 2024-25.
This provision aims to align the admission age with the recommended age for the foundational stage of education.
However, in academic session 2023-24, parents have a unique opportunity to SAVE ONE YEAR by enrolling in Nursery, as the child will advance to Prep (U-KG) in Session 2024-25 and then to Class-1 in 2025-26, thereby also saving school fees for one year.
Regarding students applying for Nursery for the session commencing April 2024, the child will move to Lower-KG (L-KG) in 2025-26, to Upper-KG (U-KG) in 2026-27 and to Class-1 in 2027-28.
To be eligible to apply for L-KG for the session 2024-25, a child must be 4 years old as on 31st March 2024.
Benefits of Enrolling in Nursery for Session 2023-24:
Academic Advantage: By enrolling their children in nursery for the session 2023-24, parents can ensure that their children follow the existing format. This means that children will cover the same curriculum content in a single year, without the need for an additional year of L-KG. This advantage allows them to proceed seamlessly with their peers into the primary education phase.
Reduced Adjustment Period: Moving to a new grade, such as LKG or UKG, may require children to adjust to different classrooms, teachers, and expectations. By enrolling in nursery for the session 2023-24, children can stay in the same classroom environment for three consecutive years, fostering a sense of familiarity and reducing the need for significant adjustments.
Flexibility for Future Academic Pursuits: Saving a year of academic progression allows children more time for extracurricular activities, skill development, or even exploring advanced academic subjects in later grades. The extra time gained by not attending LKG and UKG can be utilized for further honing their interests and abilities. You can click here to apply to The Khaitan School today!
Familiarizing yourself with the ‘U.P. Self-Financed Independent Schools (Regulation of Fees) Bill 2018’, and the new provision of the NEP 2020 regarding admission age for Grade-1 empowers you to make informed decisions and advocate for your child’s best interests. By staying informed and engaged, you can play an active role in your child’s education and contribute to their overall development and success.
