Parents Protest at Jantar Mantar Against Arbitrary Fee Hikes in Delhi Private Schools

New Delhi, July 20, 2025 – Hundreds of parents gathered at Jantar Mantar on Saturday, July 19, 2025, under the banner of United Parents’ Voice (UPV), to protest against alleged arbitrary fee hikes by private schools in Delhi. The demonstration highlighted growing concerns over financial transparency, accountability, and student harassment in the private education sector, with parents demanding immediate reforms to address these issues.

Unapproved Fee Hikes Spark Outrage

The protest was fueled by frustrations over unapproved fee increases, with some schools reportedly raising fees by up to 57% between 2020 and 2025, often without approval from the Directorate of Education (DoE). A notable case involved Delhi Public School (DPS) Dwarka, where parents accused the school of imposing a 57% fee hike and expelling 32 students for non-payment, actions deemed “inhuman” by the Delhi High Court. The court ordered the reinstatement of 102 students in May 2025, provided they pay 50% of the hiked fee, but parents allege non-compliance by the school, including continued harassment and discriminatory practices such as confining students to the library and using bouncers to restrict access.

Parents’ Demands for Reform

Parents submitted a detailed memorandum to the Lieutenant Governor, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and Education Minister Ashish Sood, outlining 10 key demands. These included:

• Monthly Fee Collection: Mandating monthly fee payments to ease financial burdens on parents.
• Transparency in Fee Structures: Public disclosure of DoE-approved fee structures on government and school websites.
• Cost-Effective Procurement: Requiring schools to procure infrastructure through the government e-marketplace (GeM) portal.
• Comprehensive Audits: Conducting audits by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to investigate alleged misuse of school funds.
• Revocation of Ordinance: Scrapping the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Ordinance, 2025, criticized as “anti-parent” for lacking parental input.

Allegations of Student Harassment

The protests also highlighted allegations of student mistreatment. Parents reported that schools, including DPS Dwarka, subjected students to humiliation, such as barring them from classrooms, monitoring them during restroom visits, and preventing them from taking exams due to unpaid fees. These practices, parents argued, violate the right to education under Article 21A of the Constitution.

Voices from the Protest

“This isn’t just a protest; it is a desperate cry for our children’s dignity, rights, and future,” said a protesting parent. Slogans like “Parents Are Not ATMs” and “Education, Not Exploitation” echoed through the crowd, reflecting widespread frustration. Rahul Gupta, a UPV member, emphasized the lack of response from authorities despite repeated appeals through emails, meetings, and written representations. “We have tried all channels… Today’s gathering is a collective call for fairness and dignity in our children’s education,” he stated.

Government’s Response and Criticism

The Delhi government’s Fee Regulation Ordinance, approved on June 10, 2025, aims to curb unauthorized fee hikes by requiring DoE approval and establishing oversight committees at state, district, and school levels. It also mandates refunds for excess fees and imposes fines up to Rs 10 lakh for violations. However, the ordinance has faced criticism from parents and AAP leaders, who argue it favors school managements and lacks parental input. AAP Leader of the Opposition Atishi alleged a nexus between the BJP-led government and private schools, claiming that Education Minister Sood assured schools they could raise fees once protests subsided.

Broader Context of Rising Education Costs

The protests, which have occurred multiple times since March 2025, reflect a broader crisis in the rising cost of private education. A LocalCircles survey indicated that 44% of parents across India reported fee hikes of 50–80% over the past three years. Schools like Maharaja Agrasen Model School and Birla Vidya Niketan were also cited for significant fee increases, with some parents reporting jumps from Rs 64,000 to Rs 80,000 per quarter without prior notice or DoE approval.

Looking Ahead

As the next Delhi High Court hearing on the DPS Dwarka case is scheduled for August 28, 2025, parents continue to demand immediate action to protect students’ rights and ensure transparency. The ongoing protests signal a growing movement among Delhi’s middle class, challenging the unchecked practices of private schools and urging the government to prioritize education over profiteering.