Assam's Bold Move: Regulating Fees in Private Minority and Rural Schools

The Assam government intends to regulate fees in private minority and rural educational institutions. The proposed bill aims to monitor fee structures and prevent unjustified increases in minority schools, while capping fees in rural schools to support students financially.

The Assam government has proposed groundbreaking legislation aimed at regulating fees in private minority and rural educational institutions. The move seeks to bring these schools under a standardized fee structure.

Education Minister Ranoj Pegu tabled 'The Assam Non-Government Educational Institutions (Regulation of Fees) (Amendment) Bill, 2025' in the Assembly, highlighting the exemption of minority institutions from current fee regulations. Pegu emphasized that more than 200 minority schools in the state operate without a fee certificate, leading to unchecked tuition hikes.

The proposed bill also addresses fee escalation in rural schools, with an intention to set fees 25% lower than urban areas to alleviate financial pressure on rural students. This could mark a significant step towards equitable education in Assam.

(With inputs from agencies.)