Shimla, Feb 24,
Chhatra Abhivak Sangh ( Students Parents Forum) of Himachal Pradesh, has intensified its demand for the formation of a law and a regulatory commission to curb the alleged arbitrary fee hikes, financial exploitation, and commission-based profiteering by private schools in the state.
Support Independent Journalism Complete Your Membership
Choose Your Membership
The forum has accused private schools of earning commissions amounting to Rs 25 to 30 lakh annually by forcing parents to purchase books and uniforms from designated shops.
They warned the government that if necessary legislation is not introduced in the upcoming budget session, a large-scale movement will be launched to protest against the state’s inaction.
Vijendra Mehra, convenor of the forum, along with co-convenor Vivek Kashyap, emphasized the urgent need for a regulatory body to oversee the functioning of private schools.
They alleged that private school managements have been imposing exorbitant charges in the name of tuition fees, annual fees, admission fees, and other miscellaneous collections.
Additionally, they pointed out that private schools often force parents to buy uniforms and books from specific shops, which they claim is a deliberate act of profiteering.
The forum highlighted that during the tenure of the previous BJP-led government, an initiative was taken to draft a law regulating private schools following continuous protests by parents.
However, due to pressure from private school managements, the draft law was never implemented. They further accused the current Congress-led government of maintaining silence on the issue for the past two years, despite repeated demands from parents and the general public.
According to Valjinder Mehra, convener of Chhatra Abhivak Sangh, private schools earn commissions ranging from Rs 25 to 30 lakh annually by mandating that books and uniforms be purchased from designated stores.
He cited the 2005 guidelines of NCERT and the Ministry of Human Resource Development, which clearly state that schools cannot dictate where students should purchase their books and uniforms. Despite these directives, he claimed that parents continue to suffer as schools manipulate regulations to their advantage.
The forum also referenced Supreme Court and Himachal Pradesh High Court directives, which have repeatedly urged the state government to ensure that private schools do not arbitrarily hike fees or impose undue financial burdens on students and parents. They expressed disappointment that despite these legal interventions, the government has failed to address the exploitation.
“For the past six years, parents have been living in fear of sudden and unjustified fee hikes just before the start of every academic session. The government’s silence on this issue raises concerns about its support for private school managements.
We demand that a regulatory commission be set up immediately to control arbitrary fee increases, unjustified charges, and forced purchases of books and uniforms,” said Valjinder Mehra.
The forum has made it clear that if the state government does not introduce a law in the forthcoming budget session, they will escalate their agitation, including staging demonstrations at the Vidhan Sabha.
Parents and activists across the state are expected to join the movement, demanding fair and transparent regulations for private schools in Himachal Pradesh.
The issue of high private school fees and additional charges has been a long-standing concern in the state and this forum has been voicing concerns every year, however to no respite.
With public pressure mounting, all eyes are now on the Himachal Pradesh government to see whether it will heed the demand for reform or will continue to ignore the grievances of parents.
