Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, in a press conference, stated that the government had received numerous complaints from parents about misconduct and unjustified fee hikes by schools. In response, District Magistrates (DMs) were sent to inspect schools, followed by an audit.
CM Rekha Gupta Addresses Complaints
In a press conference, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the government has received a lot of complaints from parents regarding misbehaviour and arbitrary school fee increases. As a result, District Magistrates (DMs) were dispatched to conduct an audit after inspecting schools.
Existing Law Had No Clause: CM Rekha Gupta
“We realised there was no clear mechanism to investigate the fee hike process by schools,” the chief minister stated. She went on to say that action was challenging because the 1973 statute in place lacked any provisions governing this matter. The new bill, which outlines the responsibilities of parents, schools, and the government in fee regulation, was adopted by the Delhi Cabinet in order to address this issue.
Why Did We Need This Bill?
Ashish Sood, the minister of education, clarified that parents were frequently complaining to the government about arbitrary fee increases and child abuse in schools. In the past, schools received show-cause notices, but these were merely short-term fixes. This measure offers a transparent and long-lasting method of limiting fee increases.
The bill’s main features include:
- Strict Fee Regulation: Schools that raise fees illegally will not be allowed to do so for the following three years.
- Timeliness and Transparency: By November, schools must release the fees for the upcoming school year, allowing parents enough opportunity to voice concerns.
- Required Committee Formation: In order to determine fees, schools are required to establish a committee. A fine of between ₹1 lakh and ₹10 lakhs may be imposed for failure to comply. Revocation of school recognition may occur in extreme circumstances.
- Penalty for Child Mistreatment: Schools face a fine of ₹50,000 per child per day if they employ punitive tactics, such as sending kids to the library. The fine will double after 20 days and triple after 40 days. Derecognition may result from repeated infractions.
- Education Directorate’s Powers: The bill’s Section 14 gives the Directorate of Education the right to confiscate school records and accounts without warning.
- Date of Implementation: On April 1, 2026, the bill will go into force.
Addressing Parental Complaints
According to the Education Minister, the Chief Minister ordered DMs to look into the complaints and audits to be carried out since he took them seriously. The findings led to the inclusion of stringent restrictions in the law. “The previous Kejriwal government did not act on this issue,” Sood said. In addition to understanding the issue, our administration has provided a deadline-bound solution.
CM Rekha Gupta’s Declaration
“The bill will clearly define the roles of parents, schools, and the government,” Rekha Gupta said during the news conference. “We’ve established precise rules to stop classroom arbitrary behaviour. The school system in Delhi would become more transparent thanks to this bill,” she stated.
Relief for Parents
The thousands of parents in Delhi who are upset over capricious fee increases and the abuse of their children in private schools will find solace with this bill. The government asserts that it will provide accountability to students in addition to controlling fee increases.
