Surat RTE Fee Scam Row: Nanduba English Academy Accused of Illegal Charges, DEO Issues Notice

Surat | Gujarat — A major controversy has erupted in Surat’s education sector after serious allegations surfaced against Nanduba English Academy for allegedly collecting illegal fees from students admitted under the Right to Education (RTE) Act—raising questions about regulatory enforcement and accountability.

Parents have accused the Bharathana-based school of charging ₹12,474 per student under various heads including term fees, sports charges, software fees, laboratory costs, and printing expenses. The most alarming claim is that these charges were imposed on students admitted under the RTE quota, for whom education is mandated to be free.

“This is nothing short of exploitation. RTE students are entitled to free education, yet we were forced to pay hefty amounts. When we delayed payment, we were even threatened with penalties,” alleged a parent, expressing frustration over the situation.

Despite what appears to be a clear violation of norms, the response from authorities has drawn criticism. The Surat District Education Officer (DEO) has issued a notice to the school, seeking an explanation within two days. However, parents and activists argue that merely issuing a notice is insufficient given the gravity of the allegations.

“What action will follow this notice? Will there be real accountability or just paperwork?” questioned another concerned guardian, highlighting growing distrust among parents.

Further complicating the matter are alleged violations of the Fee Regulatory Committee (FRC) rules. As per regulations, schools must display the approved fee structure on their official websites. However, no such details are available on the school’s platform, leaving parents in the dark about the legitimate fee structure.

Sources claim that the school may have charged fees exceeding those approved for the 2023-24 academic year. Additionally, collecting fees even before the commencement of the academic session is itself a violation of established norms.

Education experts warn that such practices, if proven, could attract stringent penalties. Under the RTE Act, schools found guilty of charging fees from RTE students can be fined up to ten times the amount collected. Similarly, violations of the Gujarat Self-Financed School Fee Regulation Act could result in penalties ranging from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh, along with possible cancellation of the school’s recognition.

“The law is very clear—RTE students cannot be charged any fees. If these allegations are substantiated, strict action must follow to set a precedent,” said an education policy expert.