🧾 Charging Fees Beyond Notified Amount
No school can charge any fee, charge, or expense beyond what is notified and published for that academic year.
What This Violation Looks Like
Why It Happens
Schools find creative ways to collect revenue beyond the capped fee. Bundled mandatory purchases and undisclosed charges are difficult for parents to challenge individually and collectively amount to significant revenue for school management.
Legal Definition & Penalty
Section 13(1) prohibits any school from charging any fee or expense from a child or parent beyond what is notified. Even recognised private schools must publish their fee schedule and cannot charge amounts beyond what is disclosed. Surprise fees, hidden charges, mandatory "activities", or fees for certificates that should be free are all violations.
Penalty — Section 13(2)
10× the amount charged beyond the notified fee
Additional consequence: School can be directed to refund all excess charges collected.
Evidence to Collect
Before filing your complaint, collect:
How to Report This Violation
Compare fees charged vs. notified schedule
Obtain the school's published fee schedule (it must be displayed). Compare every amount charged against the notified schedule. List every undisclosed charge.
Collect all receipts and payment records
Collect receipts, bank transfer records, and any communication demanding payment. These are critical evidence.
File complaint with DEO / Fee Regulatory Authority
Many states have a School Fee Regulatory Authority in addition to the DEO. File with both if your state has one.
File with SCPCR
SCPCR has ordered schools to refund excess fees and imposed penalties in multiple states. Online complaint with receipts and fee schedule.
Who to Complain To
Complaint Template
To, The District Education Officer, [District Name], [State Name] Sir/Madam,I write to report a violation of Section 13(1) of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 by [School Name], [Address]. The school has charged amounts beyond its notified fee schedule, as detailed below: [List each undisclosed charge: 1. [Charge name] — ₹[amount] — not in notified fee schedule 2. [Charge name] — ₹[amount] — not in notified fee schedule 3. Mandatory purchase of [item] from school vendor at ₹[amount] — market price ₹[lower amount]] Total excess charges: ₹[sum] I have attached all receipts and a copy of the school's notified fee schedule for comparison. Under Section 13(2), the school is liable to a fine of 10 times the excess amount charged. I request: 1. An inquiry into this complaint. 2. Direction to the school to refund the excess charges. 3. Penalty proceedings under Section 13(2).Yours faithfully, [Your Full Name] [Your Address] [Your Mobile Number] [Date]
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