The recent statement by the Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee (FFRC) of Jammu and Kashmir has once again exposed a longstanding malpractice in our private education sector. Despite clear legal provisions under the Jammu and Kashmir School Education Act of 2002 that prohibit the collection of admission fees, many private schools continue to flout these norms with impunity. This blatant violation not only undermines the rule of law but also exploits thousands of parents who are left with little choice but to comply, fearing denial of admission to their children. Education, in its truest sense, is a fundamental right and a public good. However, in the hands of some private players, it has become a profit-driven enterprise. The practice of charging admission fees—often under the guise of development charges, donations, or other cleverly coined terms—is not only illegal but unethical. It adds to the already exorbitant tuition and transport fees that burden middle-class and lower-income families. Parents are often pressured into paying these fees without receipts, leaving them powerless to question or contest the demand. The FFRC’s observation is not merely a routine reminder of compliance—it is a call for urgent and firm action. The committee’s role is not only regulatory but also protective. It must ensure that private institutions function within the legal and ethical framework laid out by the government. Mere warnings or soft censure are no longer sufficient. Schools found violating the Act must face meaningful consequences—be it fines, derecognition, or other legal actions. Accountability must not be optional. Moreover, the Department of School Education must take a proactive stance. Regular audits, anonymous complaint mechanisms, and greater transparency in fee structures can serve as deterrents against malpractices. Parents, too, need to be made aware of their rights and empowered to raise their voices without fear of reprisals against their children. At a broader level, this issue also underscores the failure to adequately regulate the private education sector, which has been growing unchecked due to perceived inadequacies in the public system. Unless the government invests in improving public schools to make them a viable alternative, the stranglehold of private institutions over education will only tighten. The FFRC has raised the alarm—now the administration must act decisively. Education should not be a luxury sold at a premium but a right accessible to every child. Private schools that treat it as a business must be reminded, firmly and legally, that profiteering in education comes at the cost of equity and justice.