Parents Protest at Jantar Mantar Over Delhi Private School Fee Hikes

New Delhi, June 14, 2025: Over 100 parents gathered at Jantar Mantar today to protest arbitrary fee hikes by private schools, particularly Delhi Public School (DPS) Dwarka. The demonstration was fueled by a 57% fee increase implemented between 2020 and 2025, allegedly without Directorate of Education (DoE) approval.

Outrage intensified after 32 students were expelled for not paying the hiked fees, prompting accusations of mismanagement and exploitation.Parents, including Vivek Jain from DPS Rohini, demanded transparency, stating, “We’ll pay government-approved fees, but schools can’t act unilaterally.” Allegations of student mistreatment surfaced, with reports that expelled students were confined to the school library and monitored by bouncers. The Delhi High Court condemned DPS Dwarka’s actions as “inhuman,” ordering student reinstatement and an end to such practices. However, the school labeled the DoE’s show-cause notice “arbitrary” and reportedly used bouncers to block reinstated students.
On May 15, the DoE mandated the reinstatement of expelled students, but compliance remains contentious. Parents like Sangeeta emphasized their willingness to pay DoE-approved fees, decrying the 30% hikes by private schools. The Delhi government’s 2025 Fee Regulation Ordinance aims to curb unauthorized hikes, but criticism from the Aam Aadmi Party suggests it favors school managements.
The protests highlight tensions between private schools, regulators, and parents. As legal battles continue, families demand accountability and fairness, urging swift government action to rein in private institutions’ unchecked authority.