Ashish Sood hosts Parents’ Town Hall in Janakpuri, explains Landmark Private School Fee Regulation Bill

TIT Correspondent
info@impressivetimes.com

Delhi, August 15, 2025 – Education Minister Ashish Sood  organised a “Parents’ Town Hall” in Janakpuri Assembly to explain the provisions of the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2025. The historic legislation, recently passed in the Monsoon Session of the Delhi Assembly, aims to bring transparency and accountability to private school fee structures, granting parents veto power over fee hikes.

During the event, attended by around 200 parents, the Minister detailed the implementation process, parents’ rights under the Bill, and ways they can participate in the new system. Parents raised concerns, offered suggestions, and sought clarifications on various provisions.

The Bill addresses a long-standing flaw in the 1973 law, which allowed fee regulation for only 300 of Delhi’s 1,700 private schools. Now, all private schools in the capital will come under regulation. It mandates active participation of parents, students, teachers, school staff, management, and government representatives in the fee determination process.

Under the new rules, any fee increase without government approval will attract fines between ₹1 lakh and ₹10 lakh, with double penalties for failure to refund excess charges. The Director of Education will have powers equivalent to an SDM to ensure uniform enforcement.

The Minister said the law would end arbitrary fee hikes, curb commercialisation of education, and protect families from financial strain. Clear timelines have been set: committee decisions by July 15, district-level approvals by July 30, and final decisions by September. If no resolution is reached within 45 days, the matter will go to an appellate committee.

Parents welcomed the initiative, calling it a long-overdue reform to ensure quality education without undue financial burden.