The Delhi government, under Rekha Gupta, has introduced the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2025 in the Legislative Assembly, aimed at curbing the arbitrary fee hikes by private schools in the capital. Through this new bill, the government has established strict guidelines regarding fee increases, which are expected to provide direct relief to parents. According to the bill, no private school will be able to increase fees every year. Fee increases will only be permitted once every three years, and that too after a prescribed process and with the approval of a committee.
Schools Must Obtain Committee Approval
The bill clearly states that schools must obtain permission from an 11-member School Level Committee before increasing fees. This committee will include a chairman appointed by the school management, the school principal, three teachers, five parents, and an observer nominated by the district administration. The school management will have to explain to the committee why the fee increase is necessary. The committee will then decide by majority vote whether the fee should be increased or not.
The increased fee will be locked in for three years, meaning no changes can be made to it during that period. This provision has been added to provide relief to parents from frequent fee hikes and to ensure accountability on the part of private schools.
Appeal Process Also Defined
If a parent objects to a fee increase, they can first appeal to the District Level Committee. This committee will include an educationist as chairperson, a chartered accountant, the Additional Secretary of the Education Department, and other members. If a resolution is not reached there, the parent can make a final appeal to the committee chaired by the Director of Education. This entire process will be three-tiered, ensuring that every party has a full opportunity to present their case.
However, the bill also stipulates that no parent or school can appeal against the decision of the committee or any member in a civil court. Instead, all rights will rest with the Directorate of Education. The final decision will be made from there. This provision has also sparked political controversy.
Demand to Send to Select Committee
Immediately after the bill was introduced, the Aam Aadmi Party began opposing it. Atishi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Delhi Legislative Assembly, questioned several clauses of the bill, calling it favorable to private schools and industrialists. She said that the composition of the committee is biased towards the school and that the appeal process for parents is complex and lengthy. She demanded that the bill be sent to the Legislative Assembly's Select Committee so that the opinions of parents can also be included.
Atishi also questioned the BJP's intentions regarding the provision preventing appeals to the court, saying that it would affect transparency. Responding to this, BJP government minister Dr. Pankaj Singh said that the Aam Aadmi Party is creating a ruckus for no reason and is only running away from discussion. He said that the opposition has not even read the bill seriously yet and is only engaging in politics of spreading confusion.
