: Private schools in Delhi may soon be unable to arbitrarily hike school fees or be allowed to interview the parents, or the child, for admission to nursery class.
In a major move to ensure greater transparency, the Delhi Cabinet on Monday cleared the proposed amendments to the Delhi School Education Amendment Bill 2015, which will make schools more accountable. The Cabinet also cleared the proposal to do away with the no-detention policy till class 8.
The bill will be placed before the Delhi Assembly in the upcoming winter session, which is starting on November 18.
While the government has decided against putting a cap on the fee, senior education department officials said provisions are being made to regulate the tuition fee and other funds that schools charge from the students. A committee comprising a retired High Court judge will look into the complaints of fee hike.
The amendment bill will pave way for changes in the existing Delhi School Education Act, 1973, which regulate Delhi schools. The government has proposed to amended section 17 of the DSE Act, which will now allow an aggrieved parent to file a complaint against the school administration for increasing the fee.
Also, sections 24 and 27A are also being amended to empower the Directorate of Education to take action such as stopping aid and imposition of penalty against the school authorities if they fail to comply with directions issued.
“The move is to bring in transparency in the admission procedure and make schools accountable,” said a Delhi government official. “Because of the no-detention policy, the students are being promoted by schools till class 8 leading to deterioration of standard and level of education, as has been pointed put by teachers and parents. So the decision to remove the no-detention policy has been taken,” said a Delhi government official.
The proposed amendments also ensure that parents and children cannot be screened through personal interviews for admission to nursery class.
“No screening will be allowed in nursery admissions. The selection process has to be completely random, based on the criteria fixed by the government. Even parents of the children should not be interviewed,” said the official. Sources said the government is planning to enact a law that will include provision for imprisonment of up to 10 years if any school or person subjects any child to screening for admission to an entry-level class.
Amendments to the Delhi School Education Bill was AAP-government’s poll plank and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had invited suggestions from experts and academicians soon after the government was formed.
Amendment bill will be placed before the Delhi Assembly in the upcoming winter session, which is starting on November 18
