New Delhi: Aimed at curbing arbitrary fee hikes by private schools, the Delhi Cabinet on Tuesday approved the Delhi School Education Fee Fixation and Regulation Bill, 2025, bringing relief to thousands of students and parents across the capital.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the government has acted swiftly in response to widespread panic among students and parents over the recent hike in school fees. “The issue of school fees had been going on for several days. We also examined the process of increasing school fees and sent district magistrates to investigate complaints, conduct audits and review the processes behind the fee hikes.” She further said, “Section 17(3) of the existing Delhi School Education Act, 1973 failed to clearly define the government authority in the matter. Since 1973, no government has taken any concrete decision on the issue. However, the Bill passed today will now apply to 1,677 schools across Delhi.” Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood called the Bill a step towards complete transparency. “The new law introduces a structured process to determine whether school fees can be increased,” he said, stressing that students and parents of 1,677 schools will now get the much-needed relief. The key provisions of the Bill include a three-tier committee structure that will govern fee regulation.
The first tier comprises the school-level fee regulation committee, which comprises a DOE nominee, five parents selected by lottery (two women and one SC/ST member) and school representatives. The second tier comprises the district-level committee, which is convened if the first tier fails to resolve the issue within 30 days. The third tier comprises the state-level committee, which is convened if the issue is not resolved at the district level within 30-45 days.
Parents representing at least 15 per cent of students of a school can directly refer the matter to the district committee if they are dissatisfied. “Our aim is to establish a transparent system. Previous governments failed to act on the issue. Violating schools may face a fine of Rs 1 lakh to Rs 10 lakh for non-compliance or circumventing the process,” the Delhi education minister said. He further added that the bill has been passed and will soon be implemented by the Delhi government. Additionally, a session will be called and the bill will be passed in the assembly as well.
“Parents from various schools are meeting me and sharing their grievances. No school has the right to harass parents or children, threaten expulsion or hike fees arbitrarily. There are strict rules and regulations and it is mandatory to follow them,” he had said. Parents protested outside schools in New Delhi over the recent fee hike and demanded the government to take control of the schools. Parents were seen protesting outside Indraprastha International School and Delhi Public School, Dwarka. On April 8, Delhi education minister Ashish Sood vowed to take action against private schools that hike fees. “We are being blamed for the Delhi school fee hike… The Supreme Court passed an order in the 2004 Modern School case, stating that Delhi schools must seek permission from the Directorate of Education before increasing their fees. However, they (AAP) had this order struck down by the Delhi High Court in 2024… Rekha Gupta will investigate cases where under-the-table money was taken… A committee will be formed under Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and all schools will be audited. If any school does not meet any criteria, it will not be spared,” the Delhi education minister said.