New Delhi, August 18, 2025 – In a landmark move, the Delhi government enacted the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2025, designed to bring transparency to private school fee structures and bolster parental participation in fee decisions. The legislation, introduced after prolonged tensions over arbitrary fee hikes, has been hailed as a major reform—though critics argue it's more complex in application than it initially appears.
Key Provisions of the Bill
- Inclusive Scope: Unlike the outdated 1973 law that regulated just 300 schools, the new Bill applies to all 1,700–1,733 private schools in Delhi.
- Parent Involvement: Schools must form School-Level Fee Regulation Committees by July 15 each year, comprising school nominees, principals, five parents (selected by lottery), teachers, and a government representative. The committee must unanimously approve fee proposals
- Structured Timeline: District-level decisions must follow by July 30, with final approval by September. If a decision isn’t reached within 45 days, the case escalates to an appellate committee.
- Enforcement and Penalties: Schools raising fees without approval face fines ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹10 lakh, doubling if refunds are not issued. The Director of Education now wields powers akin to a Sub-Divisional Magistrate, including freezing accounts or seizing assets for rule breaches.
- Protecting Students: The law prohibits coercive actions such as expelling students or withholding report cards for non-payment of fees.
Officials' Voices on the Reform
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta branded the law a “revolution in Delhi’s education sector,” emphasizing that it ensures quality education for all children without financial strain. Education Minister Ashish Sood highlighted that the Bill emerged from discussions with parents and education experts, aiming to dismantle the commercialization of education
At a parents’ town hall in Janakpuri, Sood reassured attendees that private school autonomy remains respected—provided there's transparency and accountability.
Opposition and Critics Raise Concerns
Despite its promises, the Bill has attracted scrutiny on several fronts:
- Lack of Audit Provisions: Former education minister Atishi (AAP) criticized the law for omitting any clause on financial audits—deeming it essential to verify fee hikes.
- High Threshold for Complaints: The requirement that at least 15% of parents must jointly file a complaint to trigger redressal is viewed as impractical—especially in large schools.
- Committee Composition Critique: Parent representation is drawn by lot, but critics stress five of the ten committee members represent the school, raising concerns over conflicts of interest.
- Limiting Legal Recourse: The Bill bars parents from taking disputes to civil courts, raising alarms about diminishing judicial oversight.
- Token Resistance Management?: A commentary in The Wire asserts the law may be more about controlling dissent than empowering parents—arguing the multi-tiered process could delay resolution and discourage appeals.
Final Take
The Delhi School Education Bill, 2025, marks a historic stride in private school fee regulation by mandating transparency, parental involvement, and a regulated framework. It rectifies past loopholes—like limited coverage and unchecked fee increments.
However, its effectiveness will hinge on:
- Robust implementation of parent-driven oversight
- Inclusion of financial audit mechanisms
- Ensuring equitable complaint processes
- Maintaining judicial access in the dispute framework
In essence, while the Bill is a bold reform, translating its ambitions into tangible justice for parents will take focused enforcement and possibly, subsequent amendments.