Lucknow: Following the directives from the high court and Supreme Court, three Catholic schools in Lucknow – St Francis’ College, Cathedral Sr Secondary School, and St Francis’ School – have adjusted the 15% fees charged during the last quarter of the academic year 2020-21. La Martiniere College, Lucknow, had previously taken the initiative to provide refunds.
Rev Fr Rajesh Vincent Pinto, principal of St Francis’ College, mentioned that adjustments were made in the fees for the last quarter as mandated by the courts. Students who left the school and did not avail of the 15% discount in fees for the year 2020-21 are instructed to visit the college office on a working day for a refund. They are required to provide the marksheet and transfer certificate copy to collect the cheque.
Rev Fr Alwyn Madtha, principal of St Francis’ School in Gomti Nagar, stated that all adjustments were made in the last quarter, benefiting thousands of parents. He mentioned that the school followed the court’s directive to adjust excess fees, and parents of many pass-outs have already collected the cheques from the school.
Students who were studying at these institutions during the academic year 2020-21, no longer on the rolls but did not avail the 15% discount in fees, can also visit the college office on a working day for a refund. This will be processed after the verification of the amount, as per Rev Fr Donald DeSouza, spokesperson of the Catholic Diocese of Lucknow.
Last year, the Supreme Court had issued directives related to fee refunds, reiterated by the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad. The Uttar Pradesh secondary education department, through the district magistrate, Lucknow, had issued orders to all educational institutions for the refund of 15% of fees paid by parents during the financial year 2020-2021.
