JK FFRC Warns Schools Against Arbitrary Late Fees, ₹30 Per Month Cap After Three Months
The Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee (FFRC), Jammu & Kashmir, has issued a strict notice to all private schools, reiterating that no late fee can be charged for up to three months after the fee due date, and warning institutions against arbitrary fee collection practices.
The notice has been issued by Justice Sunil Hali, Hon’ble Chairperson, FFRC J&K, following complaints that several schools were illegally charging late fees from parents.
Key Directions Issued by FFRC
According to the official notice:
- Schools cannot charge any late fee if parents fail to pay the monthly fee by the 15th of the following month
- No late fee is allowed for a period of three months from the date the fee becomes due
- Only after the completion of three months, a nominal late fee of ₹30 per month may be charged
- Any higher or arbitrary late fee collection is strictly prohibited
This clarification reaffirms an earlier circular issued in 2023, which many schools were allegedly ignoring.
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Late Fee Rules at a Glance
| Fee Status | Late Fee Allowed |
|---|---|
| Up to 3 months after due date | ❌ No late fee |
| After 3 months | ✅ ₹30 per month only |
| Arbitrary / higher late fee | ❌ Not permitted |
Parents Advised, Schools Directed
While taking a firm stance against schools, the FFRC also advised parents to:
- Deposit school fees on the due date
- Avoid unnecessary inconvenience to educational institutions
- Report violations to the School Education Department or FFRC
However, the committee made it clear that students must not be penalised financially due to delayed payments within the allowed period.
Strict Compliance Mandatory
The notice has been circulated to:
- Secretary, School Education Department (SED), J&K
- Director School Education Jammu & Kashmir
- Chairpersons and Principals of all private schools in J&K
- IT Section for uploading on the official FFRC website
Schools have been directed to comply immediately, failing which regulatory action may follow.
Why This Notice Matters
- Protects parents from financial exploitation
- Ensures uniform fee rules across private schools
- Reinforces student-friendly education policies
- Prevents schools from using late fees as a pressure tactic