Tightening its grip further, the Delhi Government has directed over 300 private schools functioning on DDA land to not implement any fee hike for the upcoming academic session.
Citing implementation of the 7th Pay Commission as an “excuse,” the Directorate of Education (DoE) has also ordered the remaining 1,400 private schools to not hike their fees beyond 10 per cent.
DoE had also sought proposals of fee hike from schools directing them to seek prior approvals. However, while 168 schools applied for it in the 2016-17 session, only five received the nod.
“Over 300 private schools functioning on DDA land have been asked to hold any fee hike for now. Other schools have been restricted from hiking the fee by over 10 per cent,” a DoE official said.
In January, the Supreme Court had ruled that schools which were granted subsidised land by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in the national Capital would not be able to hike fees without approval from the Government.
The Bench of Chief Justice JS Khehar, Justices NV Ramana and DY Chandrachud dismissed the appeal filed by the Action Committee of Unaided Recognised Private Schools and upheld the ruling given by the Delhi High Court on January 19, 2016.
Reacting to the SC order, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia called it a “historic decision” and said “justice has truly been delivered”. Sisodia urged the private schools managements to be more transparent in their admission and fee structure process, or face the consequences.
“You have signed a letter from the Delhi Government that clearly states that land is being allotted to you for educational purposes. If you are unable to abide by it, then let it go. The arbitrary fee hike will not be tolerated,” he added.
Under the 7th Pay Commission, the Government will come up with a separate set of guidelines for schools to follow. So, the 300 private institutions located on Government land may not be able to hike their fees until the middle of the academic session.