Education Ministry directs to refund illegal school fees

By a staff reporter

Kathmandu, Apr. 9: The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has directed that fees collected illegally from students be refunded.

Issuing a press statement on Wednesday, the ministry said it had received complaints that some private (institutional) schools are still charging fees in violation of the law. 

It has therefore instructed all concerned to return such unlawfully collected fees to students.

The ministry further stated that if any school is found defying this directive, additional legal action will be initiated in accordance with the relevant provisions of the law and other prevailing regulations. 

It has requested necessary coordination from the Ministry of Home Affairs, concerned District Administration Offices and local levels in such cases.

In addition, the ministry informed that a help desk has been established at the Centre for Education and Human Resource Development to receive complaints and facilitate issues related to student fees. 

Those wishing to file complaints or seek assistance may contact the help desk. The designated contact person is the Centre’s Director, Nim Prakash Singh Rathaur (Phone: 9851214638; Email: rathour@gmail.com), the Ministry informed 

Earlier, on April 5, the ministry had issued a notice expressing serious concern that some private schools had been enrolling students before the start of the academic session 2026 and charging excessive fees beyond approved standards, in violation of existing laws and a Supreme Court order. 

It had urged schools to admit students only after the official commencement of the new academic session.

The ministry had also requested all local levels to ensure that such unlawful practices are not carried out and to initiate legal procedures to refund any admission fees collected from parents in violation of the law.