Rs 50,000 fine per student: Delhi plans heavy penalty on schools to stop steep fee hike menace

Time of India

13-05-2025

Delhi schools may soon face strict fee regulations. A new bill proposes hefty fines for unauthorized fee increases. The Director of Education will have the power to impose these fines. Schools must form fee regulation committees with parent involvement. The bill protects students from punishment related to fee issues. It aims for fair fee management and institutional accountability.
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Schools in Delhi may soon need to think twice before hiking fees without a solid reason. The upcoming Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Draft Bill, 2025 has introduced a head-turning proposal: a Rs 50,000 fine per student for any unauthorised fee increase, reported TOI.Expected to be taken up in the Delhi Assembly's monsoon session this July, the bill aims to bring private and government schools under a strict, transparent fee regulation framework.According to TOI sources, the Director of Education will have the power to impose this fine—and that's not all. If a school delays payment, the fine amount could double, and persistent offenders may even face sealing or auctioning of their property.'For the first time, fee hikes in Delhi's 1,677 private schools will be legally monitored,' a government official said. The move comes in response to mounting complaints from parents about arbitrary fees and undue pressure on students who fall behind in payments.The draft bill doesn't just slap fines—it also lays out a plan for better oversight.According to the TOI report, the schools will need to form fee regulation committees, featuring school staff and parents (chosen by lucky draw, no less), and presided over by the Director of Education.At the district level, appellate committees—led by education officials and including parents, teachers, and a chartered accountant—will handle disputes. A revision committee with an experienced educationist will also be in place to oversee the big picture.Student protections front & centreOne of the bill's standout features is its clear stand against punishing students for fee issues. Schools will be barred from expelling students, withholding results, or subjecting them to public embarrassment. Simply put: no child will face consequences for financial constraints at home.Inclusive representation is also a priority, with the bill mandating participation from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, backward classes, and women on school-level committees, said the report.The bill was originally slated for a special session this week, but it's now expected to be introduced in July. Once passed, it promises a much-needed shake-up in how school fees are managed—balancing fairness for parents with accountability for institutions.