New Delhi: Ordinance will empower committees to regulate fees, impose fines, and ensure transparency in private schools
In a significant move to regulate private school fees in the capital, the Delhi government is preparing to introduce an ordinance that will enforce strict guidelines to control arbitrary fee hikes. The proposed ordinance, which is expected to be passed within the next week, will be a temporary measure until the Delhi School Education Bill, 2025, is introduced in the monsoon session of the Delhi Legislative Assembly. The aim of this ordinance is to protect parents from sudden and unreasonable fee increases, while ensuring transparency and fairness in the fee structure of private schools.
Background: The Need for Fee Regulation
Over the years, parents in Delhi have raised concerns about the arbitrary increase in fees by private schools. With the cost of education rising sharply, many families have found themselves burdened by high fees that often increase without any clear justification. To address this issue, the Delhi government has decided to take action. The upcoming ordinance will impose heavy fines on schools found guilty of violating the fee regulations, with provisions for confiscation of property for repeated offenses.
Key Provisions of the Ordinance
The ordinance, set to be enacted under the Delhi School Education Bill, 2025, will introduce several significant changes in the way private schools determine and charge fees. The major provisions of the ordinance are as follows:
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Formation of Committees for Fee Regulation:
The ordinance calls for the formation of several committees at different levels to oversee and regulate the fee structure in private schools:-
School-level Fee Regulation Committee: Every school will be required to form a fee regulation committee consisting of school management, the principal, three teachers, and five parents. This committee will be responsible for setting the fees for the academic year and ensuring that no arbitrary hikes are made.
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District Fee Appellate Committee: A district-level committee will be formed to handle complaints related to school fees. This committee will include education department officials, chartered accountants, parents, and teachers, and will be chaired by the Deputy Director of Education.
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Revision Committee: A revision committee will be established to make suggestions on fee matters and offer recommendations for resolving disputes. The committee will consist of education sector experts.
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Penalties for Violation of Fee Rules:
The ordinance will impose strict penalties on schools that violate the fee regulation rules:-
A fine of Rs 50,000 will be imposed for each student if the school increases fees without proper approval from the relevant committees.
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In case of repeated violations, the school could face the confiscation of its property.
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If fines are not paid within the stipulated time, the fine amount could be doubled.
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Additionally, the school’s registration could be canceled if the violations continue.
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Transparency in Fee Structure:
The government’s aim is to bring transparency in the fee-setting process. Schools will be required to provide clear breakdowns of their fee structure, which will be reviewed by the school-level and district-level committees. This is to ensure that fees are not arbitrarily increased, and parents are not taken advantage of. -
Rights of Parents and Accountability:
The bill emphasizes the protection of parents’ rights and interests. The government wants to ensure that schools do not exploit parents by demanding exorbitant fees in the name of education. The new regulation will also give parents the opportunity to voice their complaints and concerns through the various committees.
Implementation Timeline and Next Steps
The ordinance is expected to be introduced within the next week as a temporary measure. This will give the Delhi government a framework for regulating school fees before the full bill is introduced in the monsoon session of the Delhi Legislative Assembly. According to government sources, the proposal for the ordinance has already been sent to the Law Department for review.
Once the ordinance is passed, it will be in effect until the full Delhi School Education Bill is introduced. The bill will include more comprehensive and permanent measures to regulate school fees and ensure that schools are held accountable for their fee structures.
Challenges Ahead:
While the ordinance is a welcome step for many parents, there may be challenges ahead in its implementation. Some private schools may resist the new regulations, arguing that it could hinder their ability to provide quality education due to budget constraints. Furthermore, the implementation of such a bill will require robust monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to ensure that the guidelines are followed.
The Delhi government’s move to regulate private school fees is a significant step toward ensuring that parents are not burdened by arbitrary fee hikes. The upcoming ordinance, followed by the Delhi School Education Bill, 2025, will bring much-needed transparency and fairness to the education sector. With strict penalties for non-compliance and the formation of committees to handle disputes, the government is taking concrete steps to safeguard the interests of parents and students. This could mark a new era of fee regulation in the city, ensuring that education remains accessible and affordable for all.
