The Delhi Directorate of Education (DoE) has directed all private, unaided recognised schools in the capital to collect school fees strictly monthly, effectively barring institutions from charging quarterly or advance fees, in a move aimed at regulating school fee payment rules in Delhi and easing financial pressure on parents.

In an order issued on April 30, the DoE said it had received multiple complaints that several private schools in Delhi were forcing parents to pay fees on a bi-monthly, quarterly, or annual advance basis. The department said such practices were creating an unnecessary financial burden, particularly for middle- and lower-income families.

Reiterating existing guidelines on school fee structure in Delhi, the education department made it clear that no school is allowed to mandate or compel parents to pay fees for more than one calendar month at a time.

However, the order clarified that if parents voluntarily choose to pay school fees in advance without any pressure, schools may accept such payments.

The directive also states that private schools cannot make advance fee payment a condition for admission, continued enrollment, or access to student facilities and services.

The move follows growing complaints from parents and associations regarding private school fee regulations in Delhi, with allegations that some schools were enforcing rigid fee collection systems despite earlier government instructions.

Officials said the latest order reinforces the principle that school fee payments should remain transparent, flexible, and aligned with the financial capacity of families.

The DoE has mandated that all schools display the order prominently on notice boards and upload it on their official websites within seven days.

Warning of strict enforcement, the department said violations of Delhi school fee rules could lead to serious action under the Delhi School Education Act, 1973, including withdrawal of recognition and, in extreme cases, government takeover of school management.

With PTI inputs