The FFRC’s leadership void has exacerbated concerns over rising school fees, exposing the committee’s inherent weakness and inability to effectively regulate private school costs.
The growing concern among parents over rising fees in private schools has once again exposed the shortcomings of the Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee (FFRC), which has been headless following the completion of the tenure of Justice (Retd) Sunil Hali as its Chairman. Established to regulate private school fees and ensure transparency, the FFRC was meant to safeguard parents from arbitrary financial burdens. However, its weak enforcement and limited oversight have raised serious questions about its effectiveness. One of the most pressing issues relates to school uniforms and textbooks. As per established norms, schools are not permitted to prescribe specific vendors for these items. Parents have the clear right to purchase uniforms and books from any shop offering better quality at reasonable prices. This rule is intended to promote fairness and prevent monopolistic practices. Yet, many private schools continue to circumvent these guidelines by indirectly compelling parents to buy from selected sellers, often at inflated rates. Such practices not only violate regulations but also place an unnecessary financial burden on families. This grievance is no longer isolated. Parents from Jammu, as well as the Kashmir Valley, have expressed serious concern over these unchecked practices, which have largely gone unaddressed in recent years. Many aggrieved parents have appealed to Education Minister Sakina Ittoo to take immediate and firm action against private schools indulging in such violations and to ensure that rules are implemented in both letter and spirit. Their concerns reflect a broader pattern of dissatisfaction, pointing to systemic regulatory failure rather than isolated incidents. Another worrying development is the reported support by some private schools for a second term for former FFRC Chairman Justice Sunil Hali. Allegations are galore that Education Minister is being allegedly influenced from several quarters at the insistence of some of the office bearers of Private Schools Association to reappoint Justice (Retd) Sunil Hali as Chairman J&K FFRC.
“Education is a vital societal pillar, not a commercial commodity, necessitating rigorous regulation of private schools to prevent the erosion of quality and affordability. To restore public trust and ensure the education system fulfills its equitable purpose, authorities must implement decisive oversight that protects families and upholds educational integrity.”
The perceived alignment between sections of the regulated institutions and the regulatory authority raises serious concerns about the independence and credibility of the system. It also lends weight to allegations regarding selective and significant fee hikes during his previous tenure. There is an urgent need to review the fee structures approved in recent years. This issue warrants immediate attention from both the Education Minister and the Chief Minister to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in the system. Beyond fee-related concerns, a deeper structural issue persists—the exploitation of teachers. Despite charging high fees in the name of quality education, many private schools fail to provide fair salaries and job security to their teaching staff. This imbalance undermines the very foundation of quality education. A more transparent and accountable regulatory framework is the need of the hour. Lessons can be drawn from countries like Nepal, where efforts have been made to balance private sector participation with strict regulatory oversight. Adapting such models to local conditions could help address the existing challenges. Strengthening enforcement mechanisms is critical. Regulatory bodies must be empowered to conduct regular inspections, impose penalties, and act swiftly on complaints. Additionally, involving parents and reputed educationists in decision-making processes can help ensure that policies reflect ground realities. Education is not merely a commercial activity; it is a fundamental pillar of society. Failure to regulate private schools effectively risks undermining both affordability and quality. It is time for decisive action to restore public trust, protect parents, and ensure that the education system serves its true purpose.
