The Gujarat government’s Fee Revision Committee has rejected appeals filed by three private schools in Ahmedabad—Zydus School at Godhavi, Tapovan School at Naranpura and Sakar School at Chandkheda—seeking permission to charge higher fees.
The committee upheld the fee structure earlier fixed by the Fee Regulatory Committee (FRC) and directed the schools to refund any excess fees already collected from students. With the appeals dismissed, the FRC-approved fees for the academic years 2024–25, 2025–26 and 2026–27 will remain in force.
Sources said some schools had started charging higher fees in anticipation of approval. Following the decision, they may now have to refund large amounts, estimated between ₹5 crore and ₹8 crore in total.
The FRC revises private school fees once every three years. Schools unhappy with the approved structure can appeal before the revision committee. Several such appeals from Ahmedabad and other cities were recently heard, and final orders have now been issued.
In the case of Zydus School for Excellence in Vejalpur, the school had proposed fees ranging from ₹73,325 to ₹96,970 for classes from pre-primary to Class 12 (science). The zonal committee initially fixed provisional fees between ₹51,266 and ₹66,150 for 2024–25, later revising them to ₹59,800 to ₹77,175 after objections were considered. Fees for subsequent years were also capped.
While rejecting Zydus School’s appeal, the revision committee observed that several expenses claimed by the school were unjustified, including salaries of 10 unqualified teachers. With 1,093 students enrolled, the committee concluded that a fee of ₹47,321 was sufficient based on actual costs and upheld the zonal committee’s decision.
Appeals filed by Tapovan School and Sakar School were also dismissed. At Tapovan School, fees for 2024–25 from pre-primary to secondary level were fixed between ₹34,500 and ₹46,000. At Sakar School, approved fees ranged from ₹30,870 to ₹46,830, even though the school had sought fees between ₹49,000 and ₹62,500.
As a result, fee demands were reduced by ₹27,275 for Tapovan School, ₹13,667 for Zydus School and ₹17,000 for Sakar School.
Officials said that since the appeals have been finally rejected, the schools must refund any excess fees collected from parents in earlier years, which could run into several crores. Sakar School has over 1,600 students, while Tapovan School has around 944.
The revision committee also noted that penalties may be imposed by the zonal fee committee if violations are found.