The Directorate of Education (DoE) in New Delhi has issued a clear directive stating that parents have the right to pay school fees on a monthly basis, without being compelled to make advance or lump-sum payments. The order applies to all private unaided recognised schools in the capital.
Mandatory Monthly Fee Collection
The DoE has explicitly directed that no school can mandate or compel any parent or guardian to pay fees for a period exceeding one calendar month in a single instalment. This means schools must collect fees monthly and cannot demand advance payments for multiple months or terms.
Background and Complaints
The directive comes in response to numerous complaints from parents and guardians who reported that several schools were allegedly forcing families to pay fees in bi-monthly or quarterly lump sums. An official stated that such practices were creating financial hardship in many households, prompting many to approach the department for redressal.
The DoE referred to its previous circular issued in 2019, which had already mandated monthly fee collection in compliance with a Delhi High Court order. Despite these guidelines, some schools continued to insist on advance fees, leading to the need for reiteration and stricter enforcement.
Financial Burden on Families
The order highlights that forcing advance payments imposes an undue financial burden on parents, particularly those from low and middle-income groups. It notes that such practices run contrary to the broader objective of ensuring equitable and inclusive access to education.
Voluntary Advance Payments Allowed
The DoE has clarified that parents or guardians who wish to pay fees for more than one month at a time may still do so. However, this must be entirely voluntary and cannot be a condition imposed by the school.
Restrictions on Schools
The directive places strict restrictions on schools regarding conditions linked to fee payments. It prohibits institutions from making advance fee deposits a pre-condition for admission, continuation of enrolment, or access to any service or benefit provided to students.
Transparency and Compliance
To ensure transparency and awareness, the DoE has instructed all schools to prominently display the order on their notice boards. Additionally, schools are required to upload the directive on their official websites within seven working days of receiving it.
The order warns that non-compliance will be taken seriously. The directorate has stated that it may initiate action under the provisions of the Delhi School Education Act and Rules, 1973. This could include measures such as withdrawal of recognition or other steps deemed necessary to protect the interests of students and parents.
An official added that the department will closely monitor compliance with the order and act promptly on complaints from parents. Schools are expected to respect the intent of the rule in both letter and spirit, and any deviation will be dealt with as per applicable regulations.
Ensuring Fairness
According to officials, with this move, the DoE aims to enforce fairness and consistency in fee collection practices across private unaided recognised schools in the capital. The directive addresses long-standing concerns raised by parents over financial pressure and lack of flexibility in payment options.
