In a significant move aimed at bringing transparency to the often contentious process of fee hikes, the Directorate of Education (DoE) in Delhi has overhauled the school fee calendar for the upcoming academic year. A fresh official order for the 2025–26 session introduces a strict, time-bound process that mandates active participation from parents and teachers before any fee structure is finalized.
A Fixed Timeline Replaces Ambiguity
Gone are the vague directives. The DoE has set clear, non-negotiable deadlines. Every private school in Delhi must constitute a School-Level Fee Regulation Committee (SLFRC) by January 10, 2025. This is not a suggestion but a firm requirement. Following this, schools are obligated to present their proposed fee structure for the next session to this committee by January 25.
The committee then has a strict window of 30 days to scrutinize the proposal and arrive at a decision. Crucially, the outcome of this deliberation cannot be kept under wraps. The order mandates that the final, reasoned decision must be displayed prominently on the school's notice board and uploaded to its official website for all stakeholders to see.
Democratizing Fee Decisions: Composition and Selection
The SLFRC is designed to be a genuine multi-stakeholder forum, not a rubber-stamp body. Its composition ensures significant representation from those directly affected. As per the order, the committee will include five parent representatives and three teacher representatives, alongside members from the school management and the principal. A key oversight role is played by a DoE-nominated Observer.
To prevent schools from handpicking compliant members, the order details a transparent selection process. Parent and teacher representatives will be chosen through a public draw of lots. Schools must announce the date and venue of this draw at least one week in advance on their notice board and website. The draw must be conducted openly, and any attempt to manipulate it will invite action. A waiting list of ten names will also be prepared to ensure replacements are readily available.
The order also specifies eligibility criteria. Parents of students who are exempt from fee payment (such as those under EWS, DG, or CWSN categories) are not eligible to be representatives. A "one family, one seat" rule is also enforced to broaden participation.
Process Over Power: Ensuring Accountability
The new framework shifts the dynamic from post-facto complaints to prior examination. For years, the cycle involved schools announcing fees, parents protesting, and explanations trickling out later. The committee system flips this script, requiring justification and debate before formalization.
Once a school submits its proposal by January 25, the 30-day clock starts ticking. The committee must review the financial justifications and supporting documents provided by the school. Its decision must be "reasoned," meaning a simple approval or rejection is insufficient—it must be backed by logic. If the committee fails to decide within 30 days, the matter can be escalated to a district-level appellate body, preventing procedural delays from derailing the process.
For parents not on the committee, the order provides clear checkpoints for vigilance: the announcement of the draw, the constitution of the committee by January 10, the submission of the proposal by January 25, and the public display of the final decision.
The Bigger Picture: Transparency as Reform
This reform does not guarantee lower fees. Schools will still present their cost arguments, and debates will ensue. The fundamental change is in the methodology—from opaque decision-making to a documented, timed, and participatory process. The presence of parents and teachers is structurally embedded, and the timeline is legally defined.
For Delhi's parents, the real victory lies in the ability to see, question, and track the rationale behind fee proposals before they translate into a bill. January 10, therefore, marks more than just a deadline; it signifies the start of a more transparent and accountable conversation about school finances in the national capital.
