Srinagar: Retired Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar, who is Chairperson “Committee for Fixation & Regulation of Fee of Private Schools J&K (FFRC) Thursday directed United Public Higher Secondary School to dissolve the partnership and don’t hike in Fee Structure till further orders. It said that Education is not business but a noble cause.
These directions came from ‘Fee Fixation Committee’ after going through the records and facts submitted by the school management.
United Public Higher Secondary School, which is located in Channi, Himmat, Purmandal, Jammu submitted file for fixation and regulation of fee structure of the School.
The School record reveals that it is being managed and run as a business unit in view of partnership deed executed on 30th September’ 2004.
The copies of Income Tax Returns submitted alongwith the record to FFRC, also shows that the School unit is being run as a business unit.
Hon’ble the Supreme Court has consistently stated that Education is not business, but a work of charity. The Educational Institutions are to be run on no profit no loss basis, of course with scope for maintaining of surplus of 10% to 15%, which amount is to be spend on welfare and providing good education to children.
Both, in fact and in law, setting-up of school for imparting education is charitable work and people who set-up educational institution hold the same as trustees for the benefit of public at large.
The matter is referred to Principal Secretary to Government School Education Department, for passing of appropriate orders in accordance with law, in respect of the School.
The School Management and Partners are required to dissolve the partnership deed and constitute a trust, for running the School.
The Partners of the firm are restrained from receiving any monetary benefits from the School Funds, till further orders.
The Principal of School shall open an account in a Schedule Bank in the name of School which shall be operated upon by Principal, one Partner and a representative of School Parents’ Association.
Until further orders, the Partners/ School Management shall not make hike in Fee Structure.
The salary of teaching and non-teaching staff shall be paid by Principal, and documents witnessing same shall be signed by one Partner and representative of School Parents’ Association.
The parents shall deposit fee which is being paid at present in the account to be opened and operated as directed hereinabove. This part of order, however, shall not be construed that Fee Structure of School is regulated. Separate orders will be passed about same. Principal and Partners to submit compliance report within two weeks. The education of students shall continue unhampered and all steps shall be taken by School Management to provide quality education to students.
