CM Rekha Gupta Cracks Down On School Fee Hikes, Cites ‘Zero Tolerance’ Policy — Why Are Parents Protesting? News24 –

Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday ordered strict action against private schools for arbitrary fee hikes. She has instructed the Education Department to identify such schools and send notices. The issue came to her notice during ‘Jan Samvaad’ program at her residence, when some parents met her and brought it to her attention. The matter pertained to Queen Mary School of Model Town. CM Gupta exhibited strict stance towards the unjust fee hike. She stressed that no school can mentally harass parents or students, threaten them with expulsion, or increase fees without following due process. CM Gupta labelled the actions of the schools as “completely unacceptable.”

Schools Violating Rules To Bear Consequences: CM

The Chief Minister assured that Delhi government is committed to ensuring that every child receives access to quality and modern education. She mentioned that several parents have been constantly meeting her and recounting their problems. Gupta reiterated that if any school is found violating rules and laws, then it will have to bear the consequences.

“There are rules and laws for this, which are very important to follow. If any school is found violating this, then it will have to bear the consequences. We have issued notices to all the schools against which we are receiving complaints,” she added.

Zero Tolerance Policy

She further highlighted Delhi government’s “Zero Tolerance” policy, which has been adopted towards any kind of injustice, exploitation or irregularity and stated that no laxity will be tolerated in this. Gupta reaffirmed commitment to transparency, equal opportunity, and children’s rights in education.

CM Gupta informed about the ‘Jan Samvaad’ program through a post on X. She wrote, “Today, during the public dialogue programme, a case related to Queen Mary School, Model Town came up, in which parents of children lodged a complaint regarding wrong collection of fees and expulsion of children from the school. Taking immediate cognizance of this matter, the concerned officials have been instructed to conduct immediate investigation and take strict and necessary action.”

Her post added: “The Delhi Government is fully committed to transparency, equal opportunity and protection of children’s rights in the field of education. A Zero Tolerance policy has been adopted towards any kind of injustice, exploitation or irregularity- no laxity will be tolerated in this. Our resolve is clear—every child should have access to justice, respect and quality education.”

आज जनसंवाद कार्यक्रम के दौरान क्वीन मैरी स्कूल, मॉडल टाउन से संबंधित एक मामला सामने आया, जिसमें बच्चों के परिजनों ने गलत तरीके से फीस वसूली और बच्चों को स्कूल से निकाले जाने की शिकायत दर्ज की।

इस विषय पर तुरंत संज्ञान लेते हुए संबंधित अधिकारियों को तत्काल जांच कर कड़ी और आवश्यक… pic.twitter.com/gVThK6jFTn

— Rekha Gupta (@gupta_rekha) April 15, 2025

Why Are Parents Protesting?

Notably, parents have been protesting in the national capital against the fee hike in private schools. They demanded the government to take action.

Earlier on April 9, Saurabh, a protesting parent told ANI, that children in the school were made to sit in the library of the schools because the demanded increased fees had not been paid

“My child studies in Class 11. He is made to sit in the library. For the last 21 days, several students are made to sit in the library when they reach school because the demanded fees have not been paid. Our demand is that the Govt should take over this school,” added Saurabh.

Another parent complained that his children were made to sit in the library despite the fees being paid for both of them.

“Two of my children study in this school. My daughter sits in the classroom, but my son is made to sit in the library. The same fees are being paid for both of them. My son has been made to sit in the library since 21st March. I am paying the approved fees and not the unapproved fees. The matter is in the court as well. We demand this problem to be solved as soon as possible” the parent said.

Earlier on April 8, Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood had vowed to take action against the private schools which had increased their fees. It was reported that the management of some private schools had stated to increase the fee by at least 10 per cent every year.

AAP Attacks Delhi Govt

Opposition AAP leaders have been launching scathing attacks against the BJP-led Delhi government over reports of fee hike. Former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal asserted that education system in the national capital has completely “fallen into the clutches” of the mafias under the BJP.

He wrote in a post on X, “The people of Delhi are once again completely at the mercy of the education mafia. How dare the education mafia mistreat our children? Because the leaders and ministers are in their pockets, just like they used to be before our government came to power.”