Ranchi District Administration Takes Strict Action Against 20 Private Schools
The Ranchi district administration has issued formal notices to 20 private schools for violating regulations under the Jharkhand Education Tribunal (Amendment) Act-2017. The violations include imposing arbitrary fee increases on parents and selling books directly on school campuses, according to an official statement released by the administration.
Review Meeting Addresses Parent Complaints
Deputy Commissioner Manjunath Bhajantri convened a review meeting on Monday with representatives from private schools affiliated with CBSE, ICSE, and JAC boards. This action was taken in response to mounting complaints from parents regarding unjustified fee hikes and concerns about student safety.
The DC issued several directives to the schools:
- Schools must submit detailed, class-wise fee structures for the past three academic sessions along with the current 2026–27 session by April 20, as mandated by the Act.
- Any arbitrary fee increases or collection of large annual charges in lump sums will be treated as unauthorized re-admission fees, which violate the Act.
- Application forms priced between Rs 2,000 and Rs 3,000 should not be used as revenue-generating tools.
Enhanced Transparency and Safety Measures
Schools have been instructed to establish Parents-Teachers Associations (PTAs) and school-level fee committees to ensure transparency in fee determination processes. Additionally, schools are prohibited from selling books or uniforms on campus or forcing parents to purchase these items from specific vendors. Parents retain the freedom to procure these materials from the open market.
Emphasis was also placed on student safety during transportation. District Transport Officer Akhilesh Kumar stated, "All school vehicles must comply with prescribed safety standards. Auto-rickshaws and vans transporting students should have proper side rods and brackets, while school buses must be equipped with functional fire safety systems."
School Principals and Officials Respond
Usha Kiran Jha, Principal of Tender Heart School, commented that transparent fee structures would help build trust between schools and parents. Sukripa Kerketta, Principal of Divine Mercy School in Namkum, emphasized the need for reasonable fee structures, particularly for rural families, to ensure quality education remains accessible to all.
Officials warned that violations could result in fines ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2.5 lakh, with further regulatory actions possible in serious cases. Ajay Rai, President of the Jharkhand Parents Association, expressed hope that the decisions would be implemented and that the administration would continue monitoring compliance.
