St Xavier’s Loyola Creates Rs 2 Crore FD Amid Fee Dispute

The authorities at St Xavier’s Loyola Hall in Ahmedabad established a Rs 2 crore fixed deposit (FD) in response to a controversy regarding excess fee collection from students. The school faced allegations of charging approximately Rs 19,000 more per student than the fees authorized by the Ahmedabad zonal fee regulatory committee (FRC).

Fee Discrepancy and Regulatory Action

According to the FRC, the approved fees for the academic year 2024–25 were significantly lower than those charged in the previous year, with a reduction of nearly Rs 19,000 for students in Classes 1 to 8. Despite this directive, St Xavier’s Loyola Hall continued to charge the original fee of Rs 39,000, leading to multiple complaints from parents.

In its defense, the school asserted that it had filed an appeal before the revision committee against the FRC’s order and maintained its fee structure while awaiting a decision. This decision to continue charging higher fees resulted in further scrutiny from educational authorities.

Compliance and Future Implications

After failing to comply with the FRC’s refund orders, the district education officer (DEO) issued a notice to the school, emphasizing the need for compliance. Following this, the FRC mandated that the school appear in person and create a fixed deposit for the excess fees collected.

In accordance with the FRC’s directive, St Xavier’s Loyola Hall has now established a fixed deposit of Rs 2 crore. Should the revision committee uphold the original ruling of the zonal FRC, the school will be required to refund the excess fees charged to parents. This situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by educational institutions in adhering to regulatory guidelines while managing operational finances.