Controversy is increasing regarding increasing fees in private schools. Delhi’s Education Director Vedita Reddy has taken an important step to stop the arbitrariness of schools. Under the ‘Delhi School Education – Transparency in Fee Determination and Regulation 2025’ guidelines, it will now be mandatory for all private schools to form a Fee Regulation Committee; This committee will decide the school fees. A representative of the school management will be the chairman, while the school principal will act as the secretary. Additionally, the committee will include three teachers and five parents who will be selected through lottery. An officer appointed by the Director of Education will monitor the entire process as an observer. To ensure transparency, video recording of the entire committee formation process will also be required.
**Formation of fee committee by 15th July**
According to the guidelines, all private schools will have to form a fee committee by July 15. Then, by July 31, 2026, they will have to submit to the committee the proposed fee structure for the next three academic sessions (2026-27 to 2028-29). Schools must also submit audited financial documents certified by a Chartered Accountant (CA) for the last three years. After examining these documents, the committee will approve the proposed fees. If any discrepancy is found in the proposed fees or changes are considered necessary, the committee may suggest changes.
**Refund of additional fees**
Citing the Delhi High Court order dated February 28, 2026, the Directorate of Education has clarified that until the new fees are approved, private schools can charge only the same fees as for the 2025-26 session. If a school has charged fees more than this amount, the excess amount will have to be returned to the parents or adjusted in future fees. The directorate has warned that strict action will be taken against schools violating the new rules. Such action could include financial penalties, as well as suspending or canceling the school’s affiliation.
What did the High Court say?
The High Court has not banned the formation of new laws or fee committees. The court has only given instructions to remove practical difficulties in fixing the fees. It also says that schools cannot increase fees until the new committee takes a decision on this. Under this order, all schools have been directed to form their own fee regulation committees, which will decide the fees for the next three academic sessions. There is no restriction on forming a committee.
