Consumer forum directs cram school to refund admission fees
Representative imageHYDERABAD: A district consumer forum here has directed a cram school to refund Rs 3.47 lakh to a parent, whose child had withdrawn his admission 10 days after joining the course.
Shlok Agarwal’s mother Ritu submitted that she had paid Rs 3,47,166 during January-February 2017 towards her son’s admission into a two-year integrated programme offered by FIITJEE.
Ritu said that the fee was paid beforehand as the institute offered to give a concession if the amount was paid by January 18, 2017.
After attending classes for 10 days i.e between June 1 to 10, 2017, Ritu submitted that her son found it difficult to cope with the hectic syllabus and adjusting to the schedule and discontinued from the course on June 11, 2017.
Ritu submitted that she had asked for the refund of the fee amount but received a reply stating that the fee is non-refundable as per the terms and conditions. Left with no option, she filed this complaint seeking a refund.
The institute representatives, in their written version, submitted that Shlok was given admission based on entrance test and payment of Rs 3,47,166 was towards admission fees.
They denied the allegations of deficiency of service and unfair trade practice on their part and stated that the complainant is not entitled to refund of fees as per the declaration/enrolment form signed by the complainant consenting to the terms and conditions therein.
During the trial, the bench said that the argument of the opposite party that the vacancy created by the complainant was never filled up and remained vacant, cannot be entertained in the absence of any evidence.
“It is understandable that unless there are compelling reasons, the complainant’s son wouldn’t have discontinued a much sought-after course preparing himself for a cherished dream thereafter,” said the bench.
“The complainant cannot be penalized by forfeiting the fees paid in advance, irrespective of the fact of consent and declaration/undertaking given by the student/his or her parents,” the bench added.
Shlok Agarwal’s mother Ritu submitted that she had paid Rs 3,47,166 during January-February 2017 towards her son’s admission into a two-year integrated programme offered by FIITJEE.
Ritu said that the fee was paid beforehand as the institute offered to give a concession if the amount was paid by January 18, 2017.
After attending classes for 10 days i.e between June 1 to 10, 2017, Ritu submitted that her son found it difficult to cope with the hectic syllabus and adjusting to the schedule and discontinued from the course on June 11, 2017.
Ritu submitted that she had asked for the refund of the fee amount but received a reply stating that the fee is non-refundable as per the terms and conditions. Left with no option, she filed this complaint seeking a refund.
The institute representatives, in their written version, submitted that Shlok was given admission based on entrance test and payment of Rs 3,47,166 was towards admission fees.
They denied the allegations of deficiency of service and unfair trade practice on their part and stated that the complainant is not entitled to refund of fees as per the declaration/enrolment form signed by the complainant consenting to the terms and conditions therein.
During the trial, the bench said that the argument of the opposite party that the vacancy created by the complainant was never filled up and remained vacant, cannot be entertained in the absence of any evidence.
“It is understandable that unless there are compelling reasons, the complainant’s son wouldn’t have discontinued a much sought-after course preparing himself for a cherished dream thereafter,” said the bench.
“The complainant cannot be penalized by forfeiting the fees paid in advance, irrespective of the fact of consent and declaration/undertaking given by the student/his or her parents,” the bench added.
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