Delhi Moves to Regulate Private School Fees Amidst Alleged Threats

The Delhi assembly witnessed the tabling of a bill by Education Minister Ashish Sood to regulate fee hikes by private schools. Alleged threats and pressures from the 'education mafia' sought to thwart the bill's introduction. The measure aims to institute transparency and accountability in school fee regulations.

On Monday, Education Minister Ashish Sood introduced a bill aimed at regulating private school fee hikes in Delhi, amidst allegations of threats intended to block its passage. The bill is viewed as crucial for addressing longstanding issues affecting parents burdened by unchecked fee increments.

According to Sood, the proposed Delhi School Education Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees Bill, 2025, is designed to nullify what he identified as a 'biggest legacy' issue left by predecessors. He accused previous governments of engaging in covert dealings with private schools to allow unfettered fee increases.

The bill proposes a structured regulatory mechanism with penalties for schools that raise fees arbitrarily. It also mandates the establishment of committees at multiple levels to oversee and approve fee changes, addressing violations with fines ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. The opposition has called for a detailed examination of the bill through a Select Committee and demanded a fee freeze at 2024-25 levels.

(With inputs from agencies.)