Parents protest in Delhi over alleged school fee hike

New Delhi

On Wednesday, a group of parents protested outside the Delhi Directorate of Education office, demanding the immediate rollback of recent school fee hikes and intervention from authorities. Parents have long complained about the irregular and excessive fee increases by private unaided schools in Delhi. They also accused schools of using coercive tactics, such as withholding admit cards for board exams and threatening to remove students for non-payment of unauthorized fees.

The protesters, carrying placards with slogans like Stop looting and Reduce the fees, claimed that fee hikes were imposed without proper notification or official approval. They said schools were commercializing education, ignoring the financial burden on families.

Ajit Singh, a parent, shared his frustration, stating that his daughter’s school hiked the fees without prior notice or approval, and the school administration was unresponsive. Another protester demanded the rollback of the recent fee increase and compensation for past hikes, noting that the school justified the hike by claiming financial losses over the past few years.

Several parents also complained about mental harassment, with students being humiliated during assemblies for delayed fee payments. Others expressed concerns about the increasing commercialization of education, with schools forcing parents to buy overpriced books, uniforms, and materials.

The issue gained political attention as Atishi, Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, criticized the BJP and urged the Chief Minister to stop these hikes. CM Rekha Gupta responded by saying notices had been issued to schools to address the complaints.