Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday announced that private schools in the state will not be allowed to increase fees by more than five per cent annually, stating that the government will bring a comprehensive law to regulate fee hikes and protect the interests of students and parents.
Addressing a press conference, Mann said the proposed legislation would be introduced during the next session of the Punjab Assembly. He asserted that the new law would be among the strictest in the country and would ensure greater accountability among private educational institutions.
The chief minister said the government had received numerous complaints from parents and students regarding arbitrary fee hikes by private schools. He alleged that some institutions resorted to unfair practices, including threatening to withhold roll numbers, examination documents and school-leaving certificates until pending dues were cleared.
"In view of the concerns raised by parents, the Punjab government has decided that private schools will be permitted to increase their fees by only five per cent in a year. No institution will be allowed to exceed this limit," Mann said.
Also read: Punjab BJP chief Kewal Dhillon assumes charge
He clarified that the proposed cap would apply not only to tuition fees but to all categories of charges levied by schools, including annual, development and other miscellaneous fees. The move, he said, is aimed at preventing institutions from circumventing regulations by increasing non-tuition charges.
Mann further announced that schools that have raised fees by more than 15 per cent over the past three years would be required to refund the amount collected in excess of the prescribed limit. The government, he said, would establish a mechanism to ensure compliance with this provision.
Emphasising the need for strict enforcement, the chief minister said schools found violating the provisions of the proposed law would face financial penalties. Repeated violations could result in stringent action, including the cancellation of a school's affiliation.
The chief minister maintained that education should remain accessible and affordable for all families and said the government was committed to safeguarding the interests of students while ensuring transparency in the functioning of private educational institutions.
The proposed legislation is expected to provide a clear regulatory framework for fee structures in private schools and address long-standing concerns regarding unchecked fee increases across the state.
Follow us
