New Delhi: In a significant push towards transparency and fairness in the private education sector, the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fee) Bill, 2025, was tabled for consideration in the Delhi Legislative Assembly today. Education Minister Ashish Sood held a pre-session consultation with parents, emphasizing the bill’s intention to curb arbitrary fee hikes, enhance accountability, and ensure a balanced education ecosystem.
Addressing concerns and misinformation surrounding the bill, Minister Sood asserted, “This Bill doesn’t dilute government oversight — it strengthens it. It builds on the Delhi School Education Act, 1973, and introduces additional safeguards for parents and students.”
Key Highlights of the Bill:
- Coverage: Applies to all private unaided recognised schools in Delhi.
- Advance Fee Disclosure: Schools must submit a three-year proposed fee structure, with revisions permitted only once every three years.
- Regulatory Framework: A three-tier redressal system will operate at the school, district, and state levels.
- Fee Assessment Criteria: Factors such as infrastructure, staff salaries, and necessary increments will be considered — but profiteering is explicitly banned.
- Financial Transparency: Schools must publicly disclose audited records and proposed fees.
- Penalties:
- Unauthorised fee hikes: ₹1 lakh to ₹10 lakh fines
- Repeated violations: Double or triple penalties
- Harassment or removal of students over fees: ₹50,000 fine per student
- Persistent violations: School recognition can be revoked or government takeover initiated
- Dispute Period Fees: Schools may only charge fees at previous year’s rate until resolution.
The Minister also highlighted a landmark feature of the bill — empowering the Director of Education to act on a single parent’s complaint, ensuring swift intervention against exploitation.
Reaffirming the government’s dedication, Shri Sood said, “We are committed to building an education system that’s fair, inclusive, and accountable. This Bill is a direct response to long-standing grievances from parents and aims to restore trust among all stakeholders.”
He urged parents to stand united in support of the bill and dismissed the false narratives being circulated by vested interests. “Let’s work together to ensure that no child is denied affordable quality education, and no parent is burdened unfairly.”
The Delhi government, he added, remains open to constructive dialogue based on facts and informed debate as it takes this major step towards education equity and financial fairness in schools.
