Punjab Government Implements New Regulations on Private School Fees
Punjab Chief Minister's Announcement
In a significant move to address the issues surrounding private school fee hikes, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann held a press conference at his residence in Chandigarh. He declared that private educational institutions will no longer have the authority to increase fees at their discretion. A new regulation will limit annual fee increases to a maximum of 5%. Additionally, schools that have raised fees by over 15% in the past three years will be mandated to refund the excess charges to parents. CM Mann also emphasized that no school can compel parents to buy uniforms or books from designated vendors. This decision follows the tragic suicide of a Class 12 student in Amritsar, which was linked to financial pressures from school fees.
Upcoming Legislative Changes
The Punjab government plans to introduce new legislation aimed at regulating private school fees and preventing arbitrary increases. CM Mann announced that a strict law is expected to be passed in the next assembly session, covering all types of fees charged by schools.
Issuance of Ordinance
The Chief Minister indicated that the proposed law will encompass all educational institutions in Punjab, including both national and international schools. An ordinance is set to be issued shortly, followed by the introduction of a formal bill during the monsoon session. Mann assured that schools would be subject to annual audits to ensure adherence to these regulations. The government is working on a comprehensive law, drawing on the expertise of specialists to develop effective strategies. An amendment will also be made to the existing 'Punjab Regulation of Fees of Unaided Educational Institutions Act, 2026'.
Repeal of Previous Law and Complaint Investigations
CM Mann announced the repeal of the previous law established by the Captain Amarinder Singh administration, which allowed schools to impose arbitrary fee hikes. He stated that all complaints regarding fee increases received by the District Education Officer (DEO) will be thoroughly investigated, and appropriate actions will be taken against any non-compliant schools. Furthermore, schools will be required to provide parents with all necessary information regarding fees and will no longer be allowed to mandate purchases from specific vendors.
Addressing Past Exploitation
The Chief Minister criticized the previous government's policies that permitted schools to charge arbitrary fees since 2019, which had previously been capped at 8%. He pointed out that the former Chief Minister, who owns a school, had a vested interest in allowing such fee increases. The current administration is committed to reversing this trend and enforcing a 5% cap on fee hikes.
Commitment to Student Welfare
CM Mann expressed deep concern over the tragic incident in Amritsar, highlighting the talent of the student involved. He reiterated that schools must not act without accountability. The student’s suicide was reportedly linked to pressure from the school regarding fee payments. The CM noted that many parents have reached out to him, sharing experiences of harassment related to fee payments, including threats of withholding roll numbers and marksheets. He cited the Amritsar case as an example of the distress caused by such practices.