No fee hike in unaided private schools without government permission: SC

The Supreme Court held that all unaided private schools, which were built on subsidised land, granted by Delhi Development Authority (DDA) cannot increase the school fees without government permission. The SC further stated that, it will not interfere with the order made by Delhi HC in January last year, which held that the schools were bound to seek approval from the directorate of education before increasing fees. The Delhi HC in the said matter, had ordered that the schools which were granted land at cheaper rates by DDA, cannot indulge in profiteering and commercialisation of education by increasing fees on their own and further directed that, prior approval from the directorate of education was a must before taking any such decision. The amount of fees to be charged by such schools is regulated by Delhi School Education Act, 1973, and thus it has the authority to interfere, if the fee hike by a particular school is found to be excessive and perceived as indulging in profit making and taking undue advantage.

The decision of the SC court as well as the order passed by the Delhi HC is justified, as these unaided private schools are administered by government regulations, thus the decisions related to fee hike should be taken after prior permission from the appropriate authorities. Further, this order will make the general public aware of the fact that, if there is any unreasonable fee hike, with regard to these schools, that appears to be an act of profiteering, they can approach the appropriate authorities to get relief regarding the same.