Ministry of Education Directs Schools to Stop Charging Repeated Admission Fees

Kathmandu. The Ministry of Education has issued a directive prohibiting schools from charging admission fees more than once for the same student. The Ministry has instructed schools across the country not to collect repeated admission fees from students studying in the same institution and to refrain from enrolling students before the start of the academic session.

Through a letter signed by Under Secretary Krishna Chandra Pokharel, the Ministry has requested the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration to ensure effective implementation and monitoring across all 753 local levels. This step was taken following increased complaints that some schools were enrolling students before the academic session, collecting advance fees, and charging exorbitant fees beyond approved categories.

In the issued letter, the Ministry cited Chapter 15 of the Education Regulations 2059, reminding schools of the legal provision that prohibits student enrollment before the academic session begins. The letter states, 'Despite the legal provision allowing fees to be collected only under approved headings after enrollment, it has been found that schools are collecting advance and excessive fees, charging under different headings, and demanding re-admission fees when students change grades within the same school.'

Furthermore, citing a Supreme Court verdict, the Ministry has ordered that any advance fees collected in violation of legal provisions must be immediately refunded to the respective parents or students. The Ministry stated that local levels have been delegated the authority to take strict action according to prevailing laws if any school violates this directive.