- By Priyanka Koul
- Sat, 02 May 2026 09:50 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Directorate of Education (DoE) on Friday directed that no private unaided recognised school in Delhi can force parents or guardians to pay school fees for more than one month at a time.
The order comes after repeated complaints from parents alleging that several private schools were compelling families to pay fees on a bimonthly, quarterly, or advance basis, placing significant financial pressure on households.
“Such a practice imposes an undue financial burden upon parents, particularly those belonging to low and middle-income groups, and runs contrary to the underlying objective of ensuring equitable and inclusive access to education,” the DoE said in its order.
According to the department, demanding advance or multi-month fee payments violates existing High Court orders as well as previous directives issued by the education department.
The DoE referred to its February 15, 2019 circular, which reaffirmed the Delhi High Court’s April 10, 2013 ruling in the case “Mr. Rahul Chadha & Ors. vs. Summer Field School & Ors.”, mandating that private unaided recognised schools collect fees strictly on a monthly basis.
At the same time, the order clarified that parents who voluntarily choose to pay fees for multiple months in advance may still do so.
However, schools are strictly prohibited from making advance fee payments a condition for “admission, continuation of enrolment, or any other benefit or service extended to the student.”
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To ensure compliance, all schools have been instructed to display the order on their notice boards and upload it to their official websites within seven working days.
The DoE warned that any school found violating these directions will face action under the Delhi School Education Act, 1973, and the Delhi School Education Rules, 1973.