Delhi’s Historic Move To Regulate Fees In Private And Government Schools; Cabinet Approves Draft Bill – Details Inside! News24 –

In a historic move, the Delhi Cabinet has approved a draft bill to regulate fees in private and government schools. Parents’ growing frustration over significant increases in school fees throughout Delhi led to the decision. Once introduced and approved in the Delhi Assembly, the bill will become law and regulate the fee structures of both private and government schools.

Several parents protested outside the Directorate of Education (DoE) office, demanding the rollback of hiked school fees for their wards. As the protest by the parents intensified,  DoE said earlier this month it has initiated a probe against the private unaided schools that are illegally hiking fees. It also warned that the action would include derecognition and possible takeover of school managements.

Until now, there has been no law in Delhi to control how private schools set or increase their fees. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta approved the bill in a meeting. Delhi’s education minister, Ashish Sood, said the bill suggests creating a three-tier committee to oversee fee hikes.

What CM Rekha Gupta Said

“The previous governments in Delhi made no provision to prevent fee hikes. There was no guideline to help the government prevent fee hikes by private schools,” Gupta said at a press conference after the announcement of the decision. She added, “Gupta said that after undertaking detailed studies, the government took action. “Since 1973, there has been no provision to address this fee hike issue. But, today I am happy to say that the Delhi government has taken a historic and brave decision to regulate fees in private and government schools,” Delhi CM added.

What Next?

Further, the government will form three school, district and state-level committees which would finalise the guidelines. “Once the guidelines for schools are finalised, the school-level committee will issue orders. If any schools do not follow the government guidelines, a fine of Rs 1 to 10 lakh will be imposed on schools if found illegally hiking the fees,” said Gupta.