"Unlike AAP govt, we have closed off ways through which children were made medium of loot": Delhi Minister Ashish Sood on regulating fees of private schools

New Delhi [India], May 3 (ANI): The Delhi cabinet approved the School Fee Act to regulate fee increases for all private schools. Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood on Saturday 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 prioritized 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.
Addressing growing concerns over frequent and unregulated fee increases by private schools, the Delhi Cabinet, under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, on Tuesday cleared the bill, which is expected to apply to 1,677 private schools in the city.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta stated that the government has swiftly acted in response to the widespread panic among students and parents in recent days regarding the hikes in school fees.
"The issue of school fees had been ongoing for several days. We also examined the procedure for increasing school fees and sent District Magistrates to investigate complaints, conduct audits, and review the procedures behind fee hikes."
Adding further, she said, "Section 17(3) of the existing Delhi School Education Act, 1973, failed to define government authority in this matter clearly. Since 1973, no government has taken a concrete decision on this issue. However, the bill, which has been passed today and will now apply to 1,677 schools across Delhi."
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)