Delhi Schools Must Justify Fee Hikes on 18 Parameters by July 15

Private unaided schools in Delhi face a new mandate to form regulatory committees and provide detailed financial justifications for any proposed fee increases.

The Delhi government has issued a strict directive requiring all private unaided schools to constitute School-Level Fee Regulation Committees (SLFRCs) by July 15, 2026. This move, rooted in the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Act, 2025, aims to curb arbitrary fee hikes by forcing institutions to defend their financial decisions against 18 specific infrastructure and administrative parameters.

Ensuring Accountability in Education

Education Minister Ashish Sood emphasized on July 2 that education is a "noble service" rather than a commercial business. Under the new regulatory framework, schools can no longer cite inflation or general rising costs as the sole basis for increasing fees. Instead, they must submit detailed proposals for a three-year fee block, supported by audited financial statements for the previous three years, certified by a chartered accountant.

"The new framework guarantees that every single rupee charged by schools is accounted for and justified," Minister Sood stated. The government warned that any school found bypassing these regulations or failing to form the required committees would face severe penalties, including heavy fines, suspension of recognition, or a formal government takeover of school management.

The 18 Parameters for Fee Justification

Schools seeking a fee revision must demonstrate that the increase is linked to genuine improvements. The 18 parameters mandated by the Directorate of Education (DoE) include:

• Infrastructure: Development and maintenance of school buildings and campus facilities.

• Safety & Sanitation: Security measures, health protocols, and water/sanitation systems.

• Operational Costs: Electricity, lighting, and administrative expenses.

• Resources: Classroom resources, laboratory equipment, library facilities, and digital learning tools.

• Human Resources: Staff recruitment, salaries, welfare, and professional development.

• Student Support: Transportation, sports, extracurricular activities, and special education/remedial classes.

• Institutional Obligations: Any other requirements specifically mandated by the DoE.

Committee Composition and Selection

To ensure the process is democratic, the SLFRC must comprise the school principal, management representatives, three teachers, five parents, and a government-appointed observer.

The selection of parent and teacher representatives must be conducted through a public, video-recorded draw of lots, preceded by a mandatory seven-day public notice. Schools are required to keep these recordings for two years and display the committee members' names on official websites and school notice boards.

Interim Status for Fee Collection

In compliance with Delhi High Court orders, schools must continue to charge fees at the 2025–26 academic session rates until their new fee structures are officially vetted and approved by the committees. Any excess fees collected during this interim period will be subject to final judicial outcomes and will require refund or adjustment.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Deadline: All private unaided schools must constitute their SLFRC by July 15, 2026.

• Fee Proposal: Schools must submit three-year fee plans to the committee by July 31, backed by three years of audited financial records.

• Accountability: Schools are prohibited from using unaudited or self-certified financial records for fee hike justifications.

• Transparency: The selection process for committee members must be videographed and monitored by a government-appointed observer.

• Penalties: Violations may lead to heavy fines, suspension of school recognition, or government takeover of management.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can schools hike fees without justification?

No. Schools must now justify any fee increase using 18 specific parameters and prove the necessity through audited financial records.

2. How are parent representatives selected?

Representatives are chosen through a public, video-recorded draw of lots from the Parent-Teachers Association (PTA) members, following a mandatory seven-day public notice.

3. What happens if a school fails to comply?

Non-compliance can result in severe penalties, including fines, withdrawal of school recognition, or the government taking over the management of the institution.

4. Can I be charged higher fees during the review process?

No. Schools are legally required to charge fees at the 2025–26 rates until the new structure is approved by the regulatory committee. Any excess charges will be subject to refund or adjustment.

Source: Directorate of Education (DoE), The Indian Express, The Hindu, Times of India