Delhi Government Approves Landmark Bill to Regulate School Fee Hikes in 1,677 Institutions
In a major policy shift aimed at protecting parents from unregulated school fee increases, the Delhi government has cleared a new draft bill— The Delhi School Education Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees Bill, 2025. This comprehensive legislation will apply to all 1,677 private unaided and government-aided schools in the national capital.
Unveiling the decision during a press briefing, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta revealed that the bill is designed to bring transparency, fairness, and accountability to how schools decide and revise their fee structures.
Why the Bill Was Introduced
The Chief Minister stated that the government received numerous complaints from concerned parents regarding arbitrary fee hikes and misconduct by school authorities. In response, District Magistrates (DMs) were deployed to conduct surprise inspections across several institutions. Subsequent audits highlighted a glaring absence of regulatory mechanisms around fee fixation.
“There was no structured process to monitor or control how schools were increasing fees,” said CM Rekha Gupta. She added that the existing Delhi School Education Act of 1973 lacked any provisions to address this growing concern, which made enforcement nearly impossible.
A Permanent Fix, Not a Temporary Patch
Speaking on the significance of this move, Education Minister Ashish Sood acknowledged that the previous government’s approach—such as issuing show-cause notices—was only a temporary solution.
“Those were just band-aid measures. Now, we’re proud to introduce a comprehensive, permanent solution—within just the first 65 days of our tenure,” Sood said.
What the New Bill Proposes
The upcoming legislation aims to:
- Clearly define the roles and responsibilities of schools, parents, and the government in the fee-setting process
- Introduce a structured approval system before any fee hikes
- Mandate transparency in fee disclosure and financial documentation
- Protect families from sudden or unjustified financial burdens
- Offer legal recourse in cases of non-compliance
What It Means for Parents and Schools
Once enacted, the bill will ensure that schools cannot arbitrarily raise tuition or other fees. Instead, a formal process involving review, documentation, and approval will be mandatory. This initiative is expected to not only reduce financial strain on parents but also improve trust and accountability in the education sector.
Looking Ahead
The bill is now set to be presented in the Delhi Legislative Assembly for discussion and approval. If passed, it will become a cornerstone law in reshaping the governance of school education finance in Delhi.
For parents, this brings a sigh of relief. For schools, it marks a shift toward greater transparency and regulatory oversight—laying the groundwork for a more balanced and fair education system.
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