In response to growing discontent among parents and civil society groups, the Delhi government is preparing to introduce an ordinance that would significantly tighten regulatory control over fee structures in private schools across the capital. The proposed ordinance, officials say, aims to address the long-standing issue of unauthorised and steep fee hikes, which have made quality education increasingly inaccessible to many families.
The move, spearheaded by Delhi Education Minister Atishi, follows months of consultations and public complaints regarding escalating tuition and ancillary charges. Speaking at a press briefing, Atishi emphasized that the government “will not allow private institutions to operate without transparency or accountability.”
A Bid for Greater Oversight
According to senior officials from the Directorate of Education, the ordinance will mandate that all private schools seek prior approval from a newly formed regulatory committee before implementing any fee hike. The committee, comprising government appointees, education experts, and parent representatives, will assess fee proposals based on a defined set of parameters — including infrastructure investments, faculty salaries, and financial disclosures.
The draft ordinance also proposes heavy penalties for schools found violating the new norms, including fines, de-recognition, or suspension of licenses in severe cases. Schools will also be required to publish audited financial statements annually and justify the necessity for any revision in fee structure.
“This ordinance is not about controlling private schools, but about ensuring fairness, transparency, and protection of the interests of both parents and students,” a senior education department official said on condition of anonymity.
Legal Framework Under Review
The government intends to fast-track the ordinance through cabinet approval, after which it will be sent to the Lieutenant Governor for final clearance. If enacted, this would mark a significant shift in Delhi’s education policy landscape, moving from passive oversight to active regulation of private institutions.
Private school associations, however, have voiced concerns about the potential for bureaucratic interference and the impact such a law may have on operational autonomy. “We support reasonable regulation, but an ordinance must not stifle innovation or growth in the private education sector,” said a representative from the National Independent Schools Alliance.
A Growing National Debate
Delhi’s move is being closely watched by other states, several of which are grappling with similar issues. Education rights advocates have hailed the initiative as a step towards equitable education, arguing that unchecked commercialisation has created a divide between economic classes when it comes to access to quality schooling.
If successful, the ordinance could serve as a model for broader educational reforms in India, where the gap between private and public schooling continues to widen.
As the government prepares to finalize the ordinance in the coming days, all eyes will be on the fine print — and whether it can strike the delicate balance between regulation and educational excellence.