FRC Rejects St Xavier’s Loyola Hall’s Higher Fee Proposal

Background

City‑based St Xavier’s Loyola Hall sought approval to charge an annual fee of ₹39,359 for the primary section in the academic year 2024‑25. The proposal was initially rejected by the Ahmedabad Zone Fee Committee, prompting the school to escalate the matter to the Fee Revision Committee (FRC).

FRC Decision

After reviewing the case, the FRC denied the school’s request to levy the higher fee. Instead, it upheld the earlier sanction of ₹26,250 per year, significantly lower than the amount proposed by the institution.

Implications

• For Parents: The ruling ensures that fee hikes remain regulated, offering relief to families concerned about rising education costs.
• For the School: Loyola Hall will need to operate within the sanctioned fee structure, potentially revisiting its budgeting and resource allocation.
• For Governance: The decision reinforces the role of the FRC in maintaining checks on private school fee structures, balancing institutional needs with affordability.

Wider Context

Fee disputes between private schools and regulatory committees are not uncommon in Gujarat. The FRC’s mandate is to prevent excessive or unjustified fee hikes, ensuring transparency and fairness in school fee structures across the state.

Outlook

With the FRC’s ruling, Loyola Hall must adhere to the sanctioned fee for 2024‑25. The case highlights ongoing tensions between private educational institutions seeking higher revenues and regulatory bodies tasked with protecting parents from steep increases.