Delhi's tough bill to control private school fees: Penalty of Rs 50,000 per student for violations

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The Delhi government is preparing to introduce a stringent law aimed at regulating school fees, with the proposed legislation likely to be tabled in the upcoming monsoon session of the Delhi Assembly in July.

According to a TOI report, the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Draft Bill, 2025 has been finalised and includes strict penalties for schools found to be arbitrarily increasing fees. The draft bill proposes a fine of Rs 50,000 per student for any violation, with the Director of Education authorised to impose the penalty. In cases of repeated offences or non-payment of fines, the government will have the authority to seal and sell school property, sources in the education department said.

The bill had initially been scheduled for a special Assembly session this week, but it was deferred. Government sources told TOI that the legislation is now likely to be passed during the monsoon session expected in July.

"For the first time, the 1,677 private schools in Delhi will be governed by legally regulated fee guidelines," an official was quoted by TOI, who cited longstanding complaints from parents about arbitrary hikes and coercive actions taken against students who couldn’t pay.

The draft bill calls for a school-level fee regulation committee to be formed in each institution within two months of the bill’s passage. These committees will comprise the school principal, three teachers, five parents and school management representatives, with the Director of Education acting as an observer.

Further, district-level appellate committees and a revision committee at a higher level will oversee disputes and appeals. The appellate panel will include deputy directors of education, a chartered accountant, teachers and parents. The revision committee is to feature an eminent figure from the education sector.

The bill mandates inclusive representation in these bodies, ensuring voices from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, backward classes and women are part of the fee committees. Parent and teacher representatives will be selected by a draw of lots, with decisions made by majority vote.

In a move aimed at protecting students, the bill prohibits coercive action by schools over non-payment of fees.

This includes banning the striking off of names, withholding of exam results, or denial of classroom access or extracurricular participation. Public humiliation or psychological pressure on students will also be outlawed.

According to TOI, a senior official said the bill is a long-overdue step to curb exploitation and introduce accountability in school fee structures. The official added that there had been frequent reports of schools not only imposing arbitrary fees but also threatening students with expulsion and subjecting them to various forms of harassment.

The draft legislation is seen as part of the Delhi government’s broader push to enforce transparency and ensure equitable access to education in the capital.