SC says private schools have no right to hike fees

New Delhi, Aug. 7 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Friday ruled that private unaided schools do not have the right to hike fees.

Hearing a review petition filed by the Action Committee for Unaided Private Schools seeking reconsideration of a 2004 apex court verdict, the Supreme Court said that only the government can regulate private school fees.

The apex court upheld the 2004 verdict, authorizing the Director Education to take a final decision in fee hikes being implemented by schools on the ground of implementing pay commission recommendations for teachers.

While filing the review petition, the unaided private schools’ action committee had also argued that the 2004 judgment was contrary to provisions of the Delhi School Education Act.

Today’s verdict is a major victory for parents of school children who have been opposing private schools’ move to hike fees periodically.

The SC in its 2004 verdict had also endorsed the Director Education’s move to put a freeze on the fee structure and halt transfer of funds from schools to the parent society. (ANI)