Delhi Government to Table Bill Regulating Private School Fees
The Delhi government is set to introduce a bill to regulate fee hikes by private schools during the upcoming Monsoon Session of the Assembly. The proposed legislation aims to establish a three-tier verification system for fee increases, involving school-level committees, a District Fee Appellate Committee, and a State-level revision committee. The bill includes provisions for penalties up to ₹10 lakh for non-compliance and fines for harassing students over fee payments, a move that will significantly impact millions of families in the national capital.
Unpacked:
The legislation was prompted by longstanding concerns from parents about arbitrary and steep fee hikes by private schools, lack of transparency in how fees are set, and unclear or insufficient oversight mechanisms. Parents have also reported instances of schools penalizing students for non-payment, such as withholding exam results or removing names from rolls.
The three-tier system involves a committee at the school level to review fee proposals, a District Fee Appellate Committee for complaints or appeals, and a State-level revision committee for further dispute resolution. This structure aims to ensure checks at multiple levels before any fee increase is approved or enforced.
Critics, including some parent groups and opposition parties, argue the bill gives too much control to school managements in committee selections and fee structuring. They also claim the framework lacks sufficient transparency and oversight, potentially allowing schools to influence regulatory processes despite the new provisions.
This bill represents a significant reform, introducing stricter penalties and a more structured oversight mechanism than earlier rules. Previous attempts at regulation have been criticized as ineffective, with little enforcement and unclear processes for approving fee hikes. The new bill is seen as the most comprehensive effort in decades.