Supreme Court Notice To DoE On Plea Against Fee Hike By Private Schools On Government Land
Supreme Court issues notice to Delhi’s DoE on a plea against private schools hiking tuition without prior nod. Parents allege 100% fee hikes causing panic among students and families.
New Delhi: Today, On May 29, The Supreme Court of India has issued a notice to the Directorate of Education (DoE), Delhi government, and the Action Committee of Unaided Recognised Private Schools.
This notice came in response to a petition challenging the Delhi High Court’s April 2024 decisions, which allowed private schools built on government land in Delhi to increase their tuition fees without taking prior approval from the DoE.
The matter was heard by a vacation bench comprising Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih. The bench was responding to a petition filed by the Naya Samaj Parents Association, a group representing parents of students studying in private schools.
According to the petition, the Delhi High Court’s recent orders have created confusion and worry among parents, as many private schools have used these orders to significantly hike their tuition fees some by as much as 100 per cent.
The petition said this has led to serious panic in Delhi’s education system, as the schools have also started taking strict actions against students who are unable to pay the new fees.
The parents’ group said that the High Court, by allowing such fee hikes without approval from the DoE, has gone against its own earlier decisions and also against the Supreme Court’s past directions.
They want a part of the High Court’s order to be removed the part which says that schools on government land don’t need prior permission from the DoE before increasing their tuition fees.
The petition clearly stated:
“By setting aside this paragraph, clarity and consistency may be maintained in the application of fee hike regulations for schools on government land.”
It also pointed out that allowing such fee increases without proper checks could lead to more unfairness and misuse of power by private schools.
The parents fear that without the DoE’s control, these schools may keep raising fees again and again, putting pressure on parents and affecting students’ education.
The petitioners further asked the Supreme Court to put a hold (stay) on the High Court’s orders while the matter is being reviewed.
They argued that immediate action is needed to protect students and to maintain fairness in the fee regulation process.
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