In order to address unchecked private school fee hikes, the Delhi government is preparing to introduce a new bill in the monsoon session which will require schools to seek clearance before increasing fee. The step has been necessitated in the wake of plethora of complaints coming in from parents and protests staged at a number of places in the national capital.
Schools violating rules may face fines or cancellation of recognition, sources said while indicating stringent measures envisaged in teh Bill. The Delhi government is set to introduce a new bill in the upcoming monsoon session of the Legislative Assembly to regulate and monitor fee hikes by private schools. Delhi Assembly session is beginning on August 4.
This move comes amid growing discontent among parents over annual fee increases, often made without official approval.The draft bill, according to government sources, seeks to bring greater transparency and accountability to how schools determine their fees.
The legislation is expected to mandate prior approval from the education department for any hike and will include strict penalties for non-compliance.
Several parents have raised concerns that private schools raise fees year after year without following due process, putting immense financial strain on families.The new law is expected to include a provision that no private school will be allowed to revise its fee structure without first obtaining clearance from the Delhi government.
The bill will also empower the education department to conduct audits of school finances and fee collection systems. Schools that violate these norms could face penalties, including hefty fines and even de-recognition.Officials have confirmed that the draft has been finalised and will be presented during the monsoon session, signalling the government’s intent to bring relief to thousands of parents across the city.
The legislative move follows a recent protest held on July 20 at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, where scores of parents gathered to voice their anger against unjustified fee hikes by private schools.Organised under the banner of the Delhi Parents Association, the protestors demanded urgent policy reforms, alleging that many schools function like 'profit-making businesses.'
Parents also called for greater accountability, regular audits, and legal safeguards to prevent schools from exploiting families. Several protesters shared personal stories of how sudden fee hikes had impacted their household budgets.
The government has taken note of these protests, with officials citing the proposed legislation as a direct response to the public outcry.
Education department insiders say the aim is not to control private institutions but to ensure they function within fair and accountable frameworks.
Once tabled, the bill is expected to receive strong support from parent groups, many of whom have been campaigning for years for fee regulation in Delhi’s private schools.
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