SC Issues Notice to Delhi DoE on Parents’ Plea Against Private School Fee Hike on Govt Land

The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Directorate of Education (DoE), Government of Delhi, and the Action Committee of Unaided Recognised Private Schools in response to a petition filed by a parents’ group challenging fee hikes in private schools located on government land.

The case was heard by a vacation bench comprising Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih. The petition, filed by the Naya Samaj Parents Association, questions two Delhi High Court orders passed in April 2024, which allowed private schools on government land to increase tuition fees without getting prior approval from the DoE.

According to the petitioners, several private unaided schools in Delhi have since raised their tuition fees by as much as 100 per cent. The parents also claimed that some schools have taken action against students when the increased fees were not paid, creating confusion and distress among families.

The association argued that the High Court’s April 2024 orders contradict earlier rulings by a division bench of the same court and the Supreme Court, which required private schools on government land to seek permission from the DoE before raising fees.

The petitioners requested the Supreme Court to set aside the specific part of the High Court order that exempted these schools from taking prior approval for fee hikes. They stated that doing so would help maintain clarity and consistency in how fee regulations are applied to schools operating on government land.

In addition to this, the parents’ group has also asked the Supreme Court to put a stay on the High Court orders until the matter is fully reviewed.

The Supreme Court has now asked both the Directorate of Education and the school body to respond to the petition.