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Parents in Delhi have long dreaded that annual circular from schools — the one quietly announcing a “necessary” fee hike. Sometimes the increase felt small, other times it came as a jolt. Either way, the message was usually final. But that could soon change.
The Delhi government has put forward a bill that, if passed, will make it much harder for private schools to raise fees without scrutiny. For the first time, all private and unaided schools — not just those built on government land — will need official permission before they can charge more.
Why This Shift Matters
Up until now, more than 1,400 schools in the city operated outside this approval system. They could revise their fees almost at will, leaving many families scrambling to rearrange budgets mid-year. Officials say the new law aims to bring everyone under the same set of rules and end the “two systems” problem.
The change didn’t come out of thin air. Data from recent years shows that while earlier a majority of fee hike requests were rejected, the rejection rate has steadily dropped. In many cases, proposals weren’t even reviewed — meaning hikes went through by default.
What’s in the Bill
Here’s the core of it:
Approval before any hike: Every proposal will be examined by a school-level committee, then by district authorities, and, if needed, a state-level panel.
Once in three years: Schools can seek a revision only once in a three-year period, and must present their finances to justify it.
Transparency rules: Financial details will have to be shared publicly so parents know why a hike is being sought.
No More “Pay First, Talk Later”
The bill also tackles a big pain point — schools pressuring parents to pay disputed fees by threatening students’ access to exams, report cards, or classes. Under the new rules, that’s banned. Students can’t be penalised over fee disputes while the matter is under review.
The Pushback
Not everyone’s cheering. Some opposition leaders say the bill still leaves too much leeway, pointing to a clause that would allow hikes of up to 15% without formal approval. Parent groups are divided — some see it as a big step forward, others worry it’s a half-measure.
What Happens Next
For now, the bill is in the Assembly, and debates are underway. If passed, it could take effect from the next academic session. Parents will be watching closely — not just to see the law in place, but to see if it’s actually enforced.
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