Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood announced a new framework on Thursday that fundamentally changes how private schools can justify fee increases. According to reports from Business Standard, private schools can no longer justify fee hikes solely based on inflation or rising costs. The state government will ensure that quality education remains affordable and accessible, with Sood emphasizing that "education is a noble service to society, not a commercial business."
Under the new framework, School Level Fee Regulation Committees (SLFRC) will be constituted in every private school by July 15. As reported by India Today, each committee must have five parent representatives, three teacher representatives, and members of the school management. The Delhi Directorate of Education (DoE) has mandated that all SLFRC committees must include at least two women and ensure representation from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, or socially and educationally backward classes. Parents will also be consulted before any fee hike, so that the interests of every family are safeguarded.
Schools seeking to revise their fee structure must now justify increases on 18 specific parameters that demonstrate genuine improvements in facilities or educational standards. According to India Today, these parameters include infrastructure development, transportation facilities, school buildings, safety measures, staff recruitment, salaries and benefits, classroom resources, laboratory equipment, library facilities, sports infrastructure, extracurricular activities, digital learning tools, maintenance and repairs, health and sanitation measures, administrative expenses, training and professional development, and other institutional requirements. Schools must support their claims with audited financial statements for the previous three years certified by a chartered accountant.
The School Level Fee Regulation Committees will determine school fees for the academic sessions 2026–27 through 2028–29. As reported by Business Standard, the process of determining school fees will now be more transparent and accountable. The DoE has directed all private schools to set up these committees by July 15, ensuring that the fee revision process becomes more structured and inclusive of stakeholder perspectives.
