Key Points

The CM emphasised that the Act will ensure fees are regulated transparently, putting an end to arbitrary fee hikes. She claimed that previous governments had allowed fees to increase unchecked, but her government has taken a step to address this issue.

Rekha Gupta also expressed hope that the Act will lead to a revamp of the government school system, making them attractive enough for parents to prefer them over private schools. She envisioned a future where government schools would be the preferred choice for parents.

Speaking to mediaperson, CM Gupta said, "Through this act, fees of all 1677 schools will be regulated transparently. Fees has constantly been increasing during previous governments' tenures. For the first time, a government made this act... There will soon be a time when Delhi government will be systemised so much so that the people will be compelled to send their kids to the government schools instead of the private schools... We will soon hand it over to the people of Delhi after calling the House and stamping the Act."

Earlier today, Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood stated that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Delhi government aims to stop the exploitation of students and their parents through arbitrary fee hikes.

Sood criticised the previous AAP government, alleging that they allowed private schools to extort money from students and their parents through under-the-table settlements. He claimed that the previous government prioritised political ambitions over the welfare of students.

"Unlike AAP government, our government has closed off ways through which children were made medium of loot... the previous government could have done that but to fulfil their own political ambitions, they did under the table settlement for the money extorted by the schools by pressuring the students," he said.

The School Fee Act aims to regulate fee increases and prevent mental harassment of students. A committee was formed to oversee fee structures, and the government has taken action against schools that violated regulations.

The minister highlighted the case of DPS, which was reprimanded by the court for its fee structure. The government claims to have taken a tough stance against schools that engage in unfair practices.

"For 27 years, the fees were constantly increasing every year...Our government sent a DM committee, after which the court reprimanded DPS for the first time...Our only aim is that the mental harassment of students should stop," he said.

Delhi Cabinet on Tuesday approved the Delhi School Education Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees Bill, 2025, bringing relief to thousands of students and parents across the capital.

The key provisions of the bill include a three-tier committee structure that will govern fee regulation.

The first level comprises the School-Level Fee Regulation Committee, which includes a DOE nominee, five parents selected by lottery (two women and one SC/ST member), and school representatives.

The second level includes the District-Level Committee, which is invoked if the first level fails to resolve the issue within 30 days.The third level includes the State-Level Committee, which is invoked if the issue remains unresolved at the district level within 30-45 days.

Parents representing at least 15 per cent of a school's students can directly escalate a case to the district committee if dissatisfied.Violating schools may face penalties ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 10 lakh for non-compliance or bypassing the process.

- ANI