CHILDREN EDUCATION ALLOWANCE --A REVIEW

 Children Education Allowance:

In 6 CPC's opinion, there was no justification of reimbursement of tuition fees in some departments and Education allowance in others. Hence, the Commission rightly recommended merger of Children Education Allowance and Reimbursement of Tuition Fee and raised the reimbursement up to the maximum of Rs.1000 per child per month subject to a maximum of 2 children.
Since the cost of education has increased substantially, hostel subsidy reimbursement was allowed up to the maximum limit of Rs.3000 per month per child. The limits would be automatically raised by 25% every time the Dearness Allowance on the revised pay bands goes up by 50%.
Six CPC recommendations were accepted by the Government with following conditions:

Children education allowance will be admissible to school going children only i.e. from class nursery to twelfth. It is clarifed that 'classes nursery to twelfth' will include classes I to XII + 2 classes prior to class I irrespective of the nomenclature.
now onwards, education allowance will not be stopped even if child fails in the examination
both education allowance and hostel subsidy can not be availed concurrently
Reimbursement will include expenditure incurred on one set of books and notebooks, one pair of shoes, two sets of uniform, and school fees etc.
In respect of schools/institutions at nursery, primary and middle level not

affiliated to any Board of education, the reimbursement under the Scheme may be allowed for the children studying in a recognized school/institution. Recognized school/institution in this regard means a Govt. school or any educational institution whether in receipt of Govt. aid or not, recognized by the Central or State Govt. or Union Tenitory Administration or by University or a recognized educational authority having jurisdiction over the area where the Institution is situated.
Clarifications:

Hostel subsidies means expanses incurred by an employee if he has to keep children in the hostel of a residential school away from the station at which he is posted or residing. It will include expenses toward boarding, lodging and other expenses. (Important: As per the old reimbursement forms for subsidy, the employee is assumed to certify that standard education is not available at the place of residence. Hence, he/she is compelled to keep his/her children in a residential school away from the station. In case of some documents available on net, transfer liability is attached with the forms of subsidy for army personnels and other central government employees. However, one forum related to railway employees says that transfer liability has recently removed for railway employees in consultation with railway officials and concerned ministry officials. If its true then it will be uniformly applicable to all central government departments and all employees whose children are studying in residential schools away from the place of duty may avail hostel subsidy). It should be noted by all concerned that amount of hostel subsidy reimbursed is taxable.

Children education allowance is admissible for diploma courses in polytechnic provided minimum qualification is X and student joins the course after passing X class.
Children education allowances can be reimbursed for more than two children if second child birth results in births of twins or multiple births
Children education allowance is admissible for disabled children (5-22 yrs) studying in vocational or non-formal training institutions approved by government.

The following items qualify for the reimbursement:

Tuition Fee,

admission fee,

laboratory fee,

special fee charged for agriculture, electronics, music or any other subject,

Fee charged for practical work under the Programme of work experience,

fee paid for the use of any aid or appliance by the child,

library fee,

games/sports fee and

fee for extra-curricular activities.

purchase of one set of text books and notebooks,

two sets of uniforms and

one set of school shoes can be claimed for a child, in a year.
Vidyalaya Vikas Nidhi charged by Kendriya Vidyalayas can be claimed for reimbursement under the scheme of Children Education Allowance subject to the annual ceiling of Rs. 12000 per child.

The annual ceiling fixed for reimbursement of Children Education Allowance:
Hostel subsidy will be reimbursed up to the maximum limit of Rs.3000 per month per child subject to a maximum of 2 children.
Under this scheme, reimbursement can be claimed once every quarter. The amount that can be claimed in a quarter could be more than Rs.3000, and in another quarter less than Rs.3000, subject to the annual ceiling of Rs.12000 per child being maintained. If total fees are paid in advance, reimbursements can be claimed using photocopies of original receipt (original submitted in the 1st quarter) in other quarters.

If both the spouses are Government servants, only one of them can avail reimbursement.

original receipts (on the basis of self-certification) are to be submitted by the Government servant for reimbursement

FAQ IN CHILDREN EDUCATION ALLOWANCE