The minority institutions claimed that the February 11 order of the Director of Education openly discriminated against schools like theirs which charge low tuition fees from students.

“The order has capped the fee hike in such a way that schools which charge lower fees are permitted a smaller fee hike and schools which charge higher fees are permitted a bigger hike. As a result, schools run by the Christian community, which charge low tuition fees, are permitted a fee hike of Rs 200 to Rs 300 per month, whereas other public schools which charge higher fees are permitted a bigger hike,” the petition said.

Justice Ravindra Bhat, who is hearing the case, directed the Education department to file a detailed reply.

The petition compared the present circular with an earlier one on October 15, 2008, in which the management of all private recognised city schools were directed to implement the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations of fixation of pay and payment of arrears in the same manner as done for employees of government schools

“This (order) amounts to penalising minority educational institutions for the sole reason that they charge low tuition fees,” the schools submitted. They argued this puts schools charging lower tuition fees at a disadvantage, as the hike in salary of teachers is the same for every school.