Delhi Government Approves Bill to Regulate School Fees Amid Complaints of Arbitrary Hikes

Delhi Government Approves Bill to Regulate School Fees Amid Complaints of Arbitrary Hikes

RMN News Report Highlights:

• The Delhi cabinet has approved the Delhi School Education Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees 2025 Bill.

• This Bill aims to regulate school fees and curb “arbitrary” hikes across all 1,677 schools in Delhi, including aided, non-aided, and private institutions.

• To implement the new rules, three committees will be formed to decide fees for three years, involving school teachers and parents in the process.

• The move follows numerous complaints from parents regarding “arbitrary” fee increases, alleged harassment, and coercive practices by some schools.

New Delhi: The Delhi cabinet has approved a significant piece of legislation aimed at controlling school fees following numerous complaints about “arbitrary” increases. The Delhi School Education Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees 2025 Bill was given the nod during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta described the move as a “bold and a historic step”. She stated that the Bill will establish a complete guideline and procedure for fee determination for all 1,677 schools in Delhi, encompassing aided, non-aided, and private institutions. This is highlighted as the first time such a Bill is being drafted by the government.

The issue of “arbitrary” school fee hikes has caused widespread discussion and “panic” among parents due to the actions of some schools and allegations of “harassment” regarding fee increases. Complaints have also included coercive practices by schools, such as denying admit cards for board exams and threatening to remove students’ names over non-payment of what parents deem unauthorised fees.

Students allegedly faced mental harassment for delayed fee payments. According to Chief Minister Gupta, previous governments in Delhi had not created provisions to prevent fee hikes or provided guidelines to help the government in this matter.

Education Minister Ashish Sood explained that three committees will be formed to implement the new regulations. These panels will be responsible for deciding fees for a duration of three years, taking into account the school’s infrastructure.

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School teachers and parents will be included in the decision-making process, with three teachers and five parents selected via a draw to participate in fee determination. Additionally, a 10-member committee is planned at the district level, including representation from women and Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe categories.

Amidst ongoing complaints, the Delhi government had previously taken steps. On April 15, notices were issued to schools regarding “arbitrary fee hikes,” with Chief Minister Gupta reaffirming the government’s commitment to transparency and protecting children’s right to education.

The following day, the government inspected 600 private schools. District-level committees, headed by sub-divisional magistrates and including education department officials, accounts officers, and government school principals, were formed to investigate these complaints.

Schools found guilty of arbitrary fee hikes for profiteering faced showcause notices under Section 24(3) of the Delhi School Education Act and Rules (DSEAR), 1973. Inspections also found that several schools failed to meet statutory requirements for submitting fee statements and audited financial reports under Sections 17(3) and 180(3) of DSEAR.

Separately, on April 16, the Delhi High Court strongly criticised Delhi Public School in Dwarka for treating students with “indignity” over a fee dispute, citing instances of students being confined to a library and prevented from attending classes or interacting with peers. Justice Sachin Datta commented that the school, which treated students like “chattel”, deserved to be shut down.