delhi-cabinet-approves-draft-bill-to-regulate-school-fees

The Delhi Cabinet Tuesday approved a draft Bill to regulate fees in private and government schools, weeks after several parents protested outside the Directorate of Education (DoE) office, demanding the rollback of hiked school fees for their wards.

 

Following the continuous protests by parents, DoE said earlier this month it has initiated  a probe against the private unaided schools which are illegally hiking fees, and the action would include de-recognition and possible takeover of school managements.

 

Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said, “We have passed a draft Bill in the Cabinet meeting, applicable to all 1,677 aided and unaided private schools, to fix guidelines and procedures for fee hikes…”

Delhi government has taken a "bold and historic " step by approving the Delhi School Education Transparency in Fixation and regulation of fees Bill, 2025, the CM said. 

 

She further said there were complaints, and the parents were in panic due to the fee hikes. “Several parents also complained that the school administrations were pressuring their children in school over the fees. We sent out DMs to conduct a detailed study, understand how the fees were hiked in schools, and what the procedures were to regulate fees. We found that no previous government took any steps to regulate fee hikes in schools.”

 

Gupta said that after undertaking detailed studies, the government took action. “Since 1973, there has been no provision to address this fee hike issue. But, today I am happy to say that the Delhi government has taken a historic and brave decision to regulate fees in private and government schools,” she said, adding that action has been taken as there was  panic among parents and alleged harassment of students in teh anme of fee hike.  

 

Further, the government will form three school, district and state-level committees which would finalise the guidelines. “Once the guidelines for schools are finalised, the school-level committee will issue orders. If any schools do not follow the government guidelines, a fine of Rs 1 to 10 lakh will be imposed on schools if found illegally hiking the fees,” said Gupta.

 

On the approval of the draft bill. Delhi's Education minister Ashish Sood said it will be reviewed on 18 provisions before implementation and that school fee will be hiked in three years.