The Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2025, continues to face mounting backlash from education stakeholders across India. Adding to the dissent, Sreekanth Koganti, President of the Independent Schools Management Association (ISMA), Andhra Pradesh, has strongly condemned specific provisions of the Bill, calling them “disastrous” for unaided private institutions.
Sreekanth Koganti, President of the Independent Schools Management Association (ISMA), Andhra Pradesh.
Controversial Provisions Raise Alarms
Among the most concerning aspects is the constitution of the ‘Aggrieved Parents Group’, which critics say opens the door to unwarranted interference in school operations. Sreekanth believes this mechanism is prone to misuse and could lead to undue pressure, harassment, and administrative complications for schools.
Adding to the concern is Rule 13, which prohibits private schools from taking any coercive action to recover unpaid fees. This includes restrictions on withholding examination results, denying access to classes, or removing students from school rolls for non-payment.
Unfair Standards for Private Institutions
Sreekanth draws attention to the glaring inconsistency in expectations, noting that no government institution, university, or national board like CBSE or ICSE permits a student to appear for examinations without full payment of fees. He argues that demanding private schools to continue providing education without receiving fees is highly unjust and sets a dangerous precedent.
Implications: Rising Dues and Corruption Risks
He warns that fee dues will now increase across all schools, severely straining their financial sustainability. With no legal recourse for recovery, institutions may be forced to resort to informal practices, raising the risk of corruption, coercion, and systemic threats within the education ecosystem.
A Call for Practical Reforms
The opinion from ISMA AP aligns with concerns voiced by other private school associations: the Bill, in its current form, risks destabilising the very institutions that serve over half of Delhi’s student population. There is a growing consensus that legislative reforms must strike a balance between transparency and financial viability, ensuring schools are empowered to operate sustainably without compromising access or quality.
