Chennai: Madras high court has directed all private schools in Tamil Nadu to display the fee structure fixed by the fee determination committee as also the other fees, which have been approved by the competent authority, in the notice board and website of the respective private schools one month before commencement of every academic year.Justice M Dhandapani passed the order on Wednesday while disposing of a plea moved by All India Private Educational Institutions Association challenging an order passed by the Tamil Nadu Information Commission (TNSIC) and a subsequent communication issued by the director of private schools directing public display of fee structure by every private school.Though the court agreed with the contention of the association that the TNSIC has passed the order directing the director of private schools to issue a circular mandating public display of fee beyond its jurisdiction, the very circular issued by director of private schools cannot be said to be impermissible.“…it should not be lost sight of that the parents, who want to admit their kids in the school of a good choice in order to secure their future should also be provided with the details as to the fees payable so as to enable them to decide on admitting their kids in the school, as their purse should not burn which would have a detrimental effect on the household,” the court said.Therefore, the display of fees being within the statutory framework, which stems from the Tamil Nadu Private Schools (Regulation) Act, a duty is cast on the private schools to display the fees in the notice board and their website and the regulation of the same is within the jurisdiction of the director of private schools, the judge added.The court then modified the circular passed by the authority and directed the director of private schools to ensure that all private schools display in public the fee determined by the fee determination committee one month before commencement of every academic year.
