Breaking News: J&K Parents Decry "Educational Loot" as Private Schools Demand Sky-High Admission and Annual Charges JAMMU/SRINAGAR – As the

Breaking News: J&K Parents Decry "Educational Loot" as Private Schools Demand Sky-High Admission and Annual Charges
JAMMU/SRINAGAR – As the new academic session begins in Jammu and Kashmir, a wave of resentment has swept across the Union Territory. Parents are taking to the streets and social media to protest what they call "unbridled commercialization" by private educational institutions. Despite government warnings, schools are reportedly demanding exorbitant Admission Fees and massive Annual Charges, leaving middle and lower-income families in a financial crunch.
The "Double Hit": Admission Fees and Hidden Annual Charges
Reports indicate that several elite private schools in Jammu, Srinagar, and district headquarters are charging between ₹20,000 to ₹50,000 as "Admission Fees" for new entrants.
More shockingly, the "Annual Charges"—often a disguised form of admission fee for existing students—have seen a sharp hike. Parents allege that schools are demanding these lump-sum amounts under the pretext of "infrastructure development" and "ICT charges," despite clear directives from the Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee (FFRC) that no hike is permitted without prior audit and approval.
"Every year it’s the same story. They call it 'Annual Charges,' but it feels like we are paying for our child's admission all over again. Where is the regulation?" questioned a protesting parent in Jammu.
The "Book-Set" Burden: Heavy Bags and Heavier Price Tags
Adding to the financial strain is the mandatory purchase of massive "Book Sets." Schools are allegedly bypassing JKBOSE recommendations by prescribing:
Private Publisher Books: Sets costing anywhere between ₹5,000 to ₹12,000 for primary classes.
Excessive Stationery: Mandatory "notebook packages" containing dozens of books, many of which remain unused by the end of the year.
Exclusive Vendors: Many schools continue to "tie up" with specific bookshops, forcing parents to buy entire kits rather than individual items from the open market.
Government Steps In: Minister Sakeena Itoo Orders Crackdown
Taking note of the escalating crisis, the Minister for Education, Sakeena Itoo, has directed the Directorate of School Education (DSEK/DSEJ) to take "stern action" against violators.
Key Directives Issued:
No Unauthorized Hikes: Schools cannot increase fees or annual charges for the 2026-27 session without explicit FFRC approval.
Open Market Purchase: Schools are strictly prohibited from forcing parents to buy books or uniforms from specific vendors.
Strict Monitoring: Monitoring teams have been constituted to conduct surprise inspections and verify fee cards against approved structures.Category Reported Grievance Official Regulation
Admission Fee Demands exceeding ₹30k-50k Strictly prohibited for existing students; regulated for new.
Annual Charges Charged even for old students Must be based on actual expenditure; no "hidden" hikes.
Books Forced "Set" purchases Parents free to buy from any shop; only JKBOSE/NCERT preferred.Category Reported Grievance Official Regulation
Admission Fee Demands exceeding ₹30k-50k Strictly prohibited for existing students; regulated for new.
Annual Charges Charged even for old students Must be based on actual expenditure; no "hidden" hikes.
Books Forced "Set" purchases Parents free to buy from any shop; only JKBOSE/NCERT preferred.Parental Appeal: The Coordination Committee of Parents has urged the Lieutenant Governor’s administration to implement a "One School, One Fee" policy to end this annual cycle of financial exploitation.
Would you like me to draft a formal complaint letter to the Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee regarding a specific school's charges?
Exposing the School Fee Scam
This video discusses recent political and social reactions to the arbitrary "looting" by private schools regarding books and uniforms, reflecting the growing public outcry in the region.