Inquiry into BCM Arya fee hike issue

Ludhiana: An inquiry into the fee hike issue at BCM Arya Senior Secondary School, Shastri Nagar was conducted on Friday.

Parents of the students studying at the school had recently raised the issue. Notably, this is the second inquiry marked into the matter by the district education officer (DEO) (secondary), Harjinder Singh.

The first inquiry was cancelled by the education department, which was also conducted by two govt school principals.

This time, the inquiry officers include principal of School of Eminence, Model Town, Vishwakirat Kaur Kahlon and principal of Govt Senior Secondary School, Ayali Khurd, Kanwaljot Kaur.

The case dates back to April 4 when parents protested the school’s alleged steep fee hike for the new academic session. Parents had claimed that as compared to previous academic session, extra charge has been sought from them in the name of upgrading to air conditioned setup for Kindergarten classes.

Inquiry officer Vihwakirat Kaur Kahlon informed TOI, “ The school has hiked the fee by 8%. However, they are charging extra as building enhancement fund. They are also charging for the AC rooms and building upgradation done for the Kindergarten classes. The parents are reluctant to pay this amount.”

‘Either withdraw addl charges or seek DEO nod’

“As of now, the inquiry is at initial stage and the school has been given options, either to withdraw the extra charges or seek approval of the DEO and parents teachers association of the school for the same,” Kahlon said.

Deputy commissioner Sakshi Sawhney said, “The school authorities were asked to follow the Fee Regulatory Act and provide the details to the DEO as required by the law. For any fee hike, the schools are required to follow due procedure laid down in the act.”

School principal Anuja Kaushal said, “The issue has been taken into consideration by the school management. I also sat with the parents and held a discussion on the matter to resolve it.”

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