Edu bill, to be tabled in assembly soon, promises to rein in pvt school fee hikes
Times of India | 13 March 2025
12 Kolkata: The state govt will bring in a law to curb uncontrolled fee hikes in private schools, education minister Bratya Basu said in the assembly. He was responding to a question on fee hikes in private schools by BJP Chhatna MLA Satyanarayan Mukhopadhyay.
Acknowledging complaints related to fee hikes and difficulties that parents of children studying in some private schools, Basu said a regulatory commission would be formed soon to address these issues. Basu said:"The role of private schools in creating good students can never be denied. However, coordination between the govt and private schools is necessary. We want to place a bill regarding a regulatory body for private school fees in the state assembly. A draft has been prepared and it will be tabled in the assembly soon."
Reacting to a question about its time frame, he said it would be implemented once the governor gives his assent.
The commission will be headed by a retired high court judge. Education department officials, including heads of the board of secondary, HS council, and primary board, would be in the commission, along with representatives from various boards.
In 2023, the Calcutta HC had instructed the state to frame rules regarding private school fees. Though the minister mentioned keeping an eye on private schools, especially to monitor fee hikes, how this will work for private schools run by minority institutions had not been specified. The minority institutions enjoy certain benefits. La Martiniere secretary Supriyo Dhar said: "Since we are a minority institution, I think this would not be applicable to us or any minority institutions. However, we don't know what is there in the draft."
Mixed reactions emerged from private schools. Some of the schools stated that before making any statement, they need to see the draft first. MP Birla Foundation Higher Secondary School principal Purnima Chatterji said: "Our annual fee revision amounts to a very nominal increase, and the guardians have been found to readily accept it. We do have faith that any decision will be conducive to all stakeholders."
Palash Mitra, a member of Birla Bharati Guardians' Welfare Trust, said, "We are surprised why it's taking too long to implement it while they have a 2012 rule where it was clearly stated that the fees cannot be enhanced without the state govt's permission."
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