Delhi Cabinet Approves School Fees Act To Curb Arbitrary Fee Hikes

In a significant move to tackle arbitrary fee hikes by schools, the Delhi Cabinet, under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, has approved the Delhi School Fees Act. This decision aims to regulate school fees and ensure transparency, preventing schools from charging excessive fees. The act is expected to bring much-needed relief to parents across the capital.

The decision has been made in the wake of increasing frustration among parents regarding exorbitant hikes in school fees throughout the national capital. Once tabled and passed in the Delhi Assembly, the Act will become law and enforce strict regulations on private school fee structures.

So far, there has been no law in Delhi to regulate how private schools determine or hike their fees. The lack of such legislation made fee hikes go unchecked, leading to distress among many families. The newly approved Delhi School Fees Act comes as a major relief for parents, aiming to curb arbitrary and excessive fee increases by private institutions.

On the Delhi Cabinet’s approval of the draft bill to regulate fees in private and government schools, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said, "There was a panic among children and their parents due to activities being done by school administration. We studied it deeply, and took steps in that regard... No previous governments took any steps regarding school fee hikes in Delhi. Since 1973, no provision has been made to address this issue. Today, I am pleased to say that Delhi govt has taken a historic and brave decision in this regard. The Delhi Cabinet has approved draft bill to regulate fees in private, government schools."

She added, “For the first time in history, the government is drafting a comprehensive bill that will outline clear guidelines and procedures for regulating fees in all 1,677 schools across Delhi—whether they are aided, unaided, or private institutions.”

Ashish Sood Delhi Education Minister said, "Today, our cabinet has made a lawful decision regarding fee hike or no hike and drafted a Bill in which the Government has been granted the power to regulate, stop (fee hike) and take action if the schools don't comply...Action will also be taken against them too (schools against whom notices were issued earlier). Fee will be hiked or reduced based on this Bill...This will come effect from 1st April. It will have retrospective effect and the fee of this year will also be regulated."