Schools to provide 15% deduction in fees in lieu of unutilised facilities.

In a recent judgment on 3rd May, 2021 the Supreme Court acknowledged that schools were saving a substantial amount on operational costs as a consequence of online classes. In lieu of these unutilised facilities, it directed the School Management to provide a deduction of 15% in the fees.

Relevant extracts of the judgment have been provided below-

“The   School   Management   shall collect annual school fees from their students as fixed under the Act of   2016   for   the   academic   year   2019­-20,   but   by providing deduction of 15 per cent on that amount in lieu of unutilised facilities by the students during the relevant period of academic year 2020­-21.”

[Note: While this was a dispute between private parties involving schools in Rajasthan, it serves as a good precedent for other students in India as well]