Delhi govt cracks down on irregular, high fee hikes by private schools

The Delhi government has intensified oversight of private unaided schools in the capital, launching a wide-ranging crackdown on irregular and exorbitant fee hikes that have been a source of long-standing concern among parents and guardians.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Directorate of Education (DoE) described the issue as “chronic and deeply distressing for families,” particularly those from middle- and lower-income groups. The department noted that while the problem has been under scrutiny for several years, it worsened significantly in the post-Covid period, with reports of annual fee hikes ranging from 25 to 30 per cent.

“Many parents have also alleged coercive practices by schools, including the denial of admit cards for board examinations and threats to strike off the names of students over non-payment of what they describe as unauthorised fees,” the DoE said.

In response to these persistent complaints, the department has stepped up monitoring and enforcement, deploying high-level inspection teams to investigate reported violations. These teams include officials led by district magistrates. In one such instance, an inspection was carried out at a school following complaints lodged by concerned parents.

The DoE has warned that any school found guilty of violating fee regulations, as outlined under the Delhi School Education Act and Rules, 1973, will face serious repercussions. These may include suspension, withdrawal of recognition, and in extreme cases, steps towards government takeover of the school’s management.

To ensure transparency and accountability, the department is also launching a specialised financial audit of non-compliant institutions. Senior accounting officials have been designated to examine financial records and practices of schools under the scanner.

Additionally, the DoE has moved to safeguard the rights of students from economically weaker sections (EWS) and disadvantaged groups. A dedicated nodal officer has been appointed to handle complaints regarding the denial of books, uniforms, or any form of discriminatory practices in the admission process.

Private schools have been explicitly directed not to compel parents or guardians to purchase books or uniforms from specific vendors. Moreover, they have been barred from altering school uniform designs more than once every three years — a move aimed at reducing unnecessary financial burden on families.

The education department has also committed to vigorously pursuing all pending court cases related to fee hikes, seeking expedited hearings to ensure timely redressal.

Reaffirming its commitment to providing equitable and quality education to all students, the Delhi government has allocated an increased education budget of approximately Rs 2,000 crore for the financial year 2025–26.

“The DoE is fully committed to protecting the academic interests of students,” the statement concluded. “Any private school indulging in arbitrary fee hikes will face the strictest legal action.”

(With inputs from PTI)