Learn how the Delhi government intends to stop the irregular increases in private school prices

The problem is upsetting, particularly for middle-class and lower-class families. According to the notification, there were complaints of annual cost hikes ranging from 25 to 30 percent, indicating that the problem had worsened during the post-Covid era.

The Delhi government, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, has begun a campaign to stop the excessive and irregular fee increases that private, unaided schools in the nation’s capital have been imposing on parents and guardians for a long time. The Directorate of Education (DoE) responded to the parents’ grievances on Saturday, describing the problem as “chronic and deeply distressing for families.”

The problem is upsetting, particularly for middle-class and lower-class families. According to the notification, there were complaints of annual cost hikes ranging from 25 to 30 percent, indicating that the problem had worsened during the post-Covid era.

According to the DoE, “many parents have also accused schools of coercive practices, such as denying them admit cards for board exams and threatening to have their names struck off for failing to pay what they claim are unapproved fees.”

The DoE stated that it began a thorough crackdown and increased oversight of private schools in response to these ongoing concerns.

What plans does the government have?

• To look into complaints about school fees, high-level inspection teams—including those headed by district magistrates—have been sent in. In one case, parents’ complaints about these problems led to an inspection of the school.
• Any institution found guilty of breaking the Delhi School Education Act and Rules of 1973’s fee regulations will face severe repercussions, the Department of Education (DoE) has warned.
• Suspension, revocation of recognition, and even steps to assume control of non-compliant institutions are some of the possible outcomes of fee increases.
• Furthermore, senior accounting officials have been tasked with reviewing the records of noncompliant schools as part of a specialized audit of school budgets.
• The DoE has also taken action to safeguard the rights of students from underprivileged and economically challenged groups.
• According to the statement, a specialized nodal officer has been assigned to handle complaints about the lack of books, uniforms, or any kind of discrimination in admissions.
• Additionally, private schools have been told by the DoE not to force parents or guardians to purchase books or uniforms from specific suppliers or to alter the uniform design more than once every three years.

The Directorate also came to the conclusion that it is dedicated to aggressively pursuing ongoing fee hike complaints in courts, requesting early hearings to guarantee a prompt settlement.

The DoE is totally dedicated to safeguarding students’ academic interests. The strongest legal action will be taken against any private school that raises fees arbitrarily, the statement stated.

With an increased budget allocation of almost Rs. 2,000 crore in the fiscal year 2025–2026, the education department has renewed its commitment to ensuring that all children receive an equal and high-quality education, according to the DoE.