The Impressive TimesNEW DELHI, 02 June: Senior AAP leader and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Delhi Assembly, Atishi, on Monday pointed out that the BJP’s Delhi government is deliberately concealing the Private School Fee Regulation Bill to protect the interests of the education mafia. Declaring that AAP would now become the voice of Delhi’s parents, she announced that AAP MLAs would initiate extensive public consultations on the bill starting Tuesday.
AAP has urged citizens to send their suggestions to fee.consultation.aap@gmail.com, promising to incorporate them into proposed amendments when the bill is tabled in the Assembly. “Even in government, we fought against the education mafia. Now in Opposition, we will continue that fight with greater force,” Atishi asserted.
Meanwhile, senior AAP leader and former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia also posted on X: “Every parent’s biggest concern is their child’s future. But when school fees become a burden on that very future, raising our voice becomes a necessity. Since the BJP government took power in Delhi, private school fees have become unmanageable. Parents are distraught, but the government has turned a blind eye. Even though we are now in the Opposition, we will not stop fighting for the public interest. Our voice will not be silenced.”
“Aam Aadmi Party is committed to standing with children and their parents. I, Manish Sisodia, continue to speak with the same resolve that gave me the courage to dream of an education revolution. We will fight the private school mafia — in the Assembly and on the streets. We will be the voice of every parent who dreams of a better future for their child. Your input on the Private School Fee Regulation Bill is extremely valuable to us,” the post concluded.
Speaking at a press conference, Senior AAP leader and Delhi Assembly LoP Atishi said, “Ever since the BJP government came to power in Delhi, private schools have begun raising fees in an unrestrained manner. Schools across the city have hiked fees by 20% to 80%. In addition, they have imposed arbitrary charges under the garb of AC, swimming classes, and activity sessions. The middle class of Delhi is being crushed under the weight of this financial burden, unable to afford their children’s education.
The Delhi Assembly LoP pointed out that in this unbearable heat of 40 degrees, parents are being forced to protest outside schools and the Directorate of Education (DoE), yet no one is listening. Parents even approached the High Court and the Supreme Court, but the High Court stated that without an official government order, no directive can be issued to private schools.
Atishi made it clear that the BJP’s deep nexus with private schools is the reason behind this unchecked escalation. “There is a blatant collusion between the BJP and private schools. That’s why fees continue to rise unchecked. Parents have repeatedly approached the Education Minister and the Chief Minister with their grievances, only to be met with false promises that fee hikes will be prevented. But till date, the BJP government has not stopped even a single school from raising fees. Ministers and the CM have shed crocodile tears and made empty promises, but no concrete action has been taken.
She noted that Delhi witnessed a shameful episode where a private school threw children out with the help of bouncers. Only due to mounting pressure from parents and the relentless voice of the Aam Aadmi Party did the BJP feel compelled to pretend to act.
Atishi exposed the BJP government’s duplicity over its proposed fee regulation law. “Under pressure, the BJP claimed it would introduce a law to stop fee hikes and get it passed in the Assembly. However, without consulting a single parent or those fighting legal cases on this issue, they quietly passed the bill in Cabinet without sharing its contents. Parents, lawyers, and even AAP leaders received calls asking for a copy of the bill — but the BJP didn’t show it to anyone.”
“That’s because this bill isn’t intended to reduce fees but merely to create a façade and protect private schools. Never in Delhi’s history has a policy of this magnitude been advanced without public consultation,” affirmed the Delhi Assembly LoP.
Reassuring Delhi’s parents, Atishi said the Aam Aadmi Party will continue to fight on their behalf. “Even if the BJP has betrayed the parents, AAP has always stood against the arbitrary practices of private schools — and will continue to do so. Even though the BJP pushed this bill through the backdoor, we will ensure it is presented on the floor of the Delhi Assembly. AAP’s 22 elected MLAs will raise parents’ concerns in the Assembly. AAP will never deceive the parents of Delhi — we will fight for their rights as we always have.”
Atishi stated that the work of consulting parents and lawyers — which the government should have done — will now be undertaken by AAP MLAs. “We have created a dedicated email address: fee.consultation.aap@gmail.com for this purpose. AAP appeals to parents, lawyers, and education activists to send their feedback on how to stop these fee hikes. If anyone wishes to meet our MLAs, the AAP legislative group will be holding regular meetings from Tuesday to discuss this bill,” she asserted.
She further added, “Those wishing to meet AAP MLAs can also write to this email address. We will definitely allot time to meet you. We welcome all Delhi residents to share their views on the Fee Regulation Bill via email. We will take your voice to the Assembly. If required, we will demand amendments to the bill the BJP government brings. Just as we’ve always fought for the rights of parents, we will continue to fight — both in the Assembly and on the streets — against the high-handedness of private schools.”
Atishi also took to X to voice her criticism of the BJP government, stating, “After the BJP came to power in Delhi, private school fees rose uncontrollably. Parents kept fighting, but the BJP government didn’t reduce even a single school’s fees. When under pressure, they brought a bill to Cabinet — they kept it hidden and consulted no one. Why? Because the BJP wants to protect the private school mafia, not the parents. But AAP has always stood with parents and fought against private schools. Even from the Opposition, we will continue this battle against the education mafia. AAP MLAs will be the voice of parents in the Assembly. If you wish to give suggestions on the ‘Private School Fee Regulation Bill,’ email us at fee.consultation.aap@gmail.com. We will take your voice to the Assembly.”
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