Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood introduces bill to regulate private school fees, curb commercialisation

Time of India

2 days ago

Delhi Education Minister, Ashish Sood introduces new bill to seek transparency in school fees.
Amid growing tensions between parents and private schools over steep fee hikes, the Delhi government has taken a legislative step aimed at curbing the commercialisation of education.
On Monday, Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood introduced 'The Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2025' in the Delhi Assembly.
Speaking in the House, Sood said, 'Education is not a thing to be sold... This bill has been brought to stop the commercialisation of education. We are bringing this bill to take action against those who are selling education,' as reported by ANI.
The bill, if passed, would grant the government greater oversight over how private schools revise their fees and impose penalties for arbitrary hikes.
What led to the bill: Fee hikes, protests, and a high-profile court case
In the 2025–26 academic year, many private schools in Delhi raised their fees significantly, by 30–45% in some cases. These sharp increases hit middle-class and working-class families the hardest, leaving many struggling to meet payment deadlines.
Widespread protests followed.
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On July 20, 2025, parents gathered at Jantar Mantar, demanding transparency in fee structures and immediate government intervention. Many accused schools of operating like profit-making enterprises, with no regard for regulatory checks or parental consent. Incidents of students being barred from classes or humiliated over unpaid fees further inflamed the situation.
One of the most talked-about cases involved Delhi Public School (DPS), Dwarka, which expelled several students after their parents refused to pay the hiked fees.
The matter reached the Delhi High Court, which ordered the school to readmit the affected students and instructed parents to pay 50% of the disputed increase as an interim solution. The court also raised concerns about the lack of safeguards for students in such disputes.
What the bill proposes: Oversight, penalties, and parent rights
The new bill seeks to address such issues by introducing a regulatory mechanism for all private schools in Delhi. Key provisions include:
Mandatory prior approval for any fee hikes from a government-appointed regulatory body
Transparent disclosure of all charges and components in the fee structure
Penalties for violations, including monetary fines and de-recognition of non-compliant institutions
A formal grievance redressal system for parents to challenge arbitrary hikes or mistreatment
Will it change the status quo for parents and schools?
The legislation comes after years of tension between private schools and parent groups over unregulated fees.
It positions Delhi alongside a small but growing list of Indian states taking legislative action against school fee exploitation.
While many parents have welcomed the move, some school managements argue that fee flexibility is essential to maintain quality infrastructure and staff salaries. The success of the bill will depend on how effectively it is implemented—and whether it balances regulation with educational autonomy.
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