Fee Regulation For Private Schools In Punjab Implemented Via Unanimously Passed Assembly Bill

A bill aimed at capping the annual fee hike at five percent for unaided private schools in Punjab was unanimously passed by the Legislative Assembly. Consequently, unaided private schools will no longer be able to raise fees arbitrarily. The ‘Punjab Fee Regulation (Unaided Educational Institutions) Amendment Bill’ was passed unanimously by the House.

The passed bill sets a maximum limit on fee hikes and includes provisions for refunding excess fees to parents and taking strict action against schools that violate the rules. Under the bill, schools cannot increase fees by more than five percent over the previous year’s rates under normal circumstances.

The definition of ‘fee’ has been broadened in the bill. It encompasses all amounts collected directly or indirectly from students or parents by the school or its associated entities, including tuition fees, development charges, annual fees, activity fees, smart class or technology charges, transport fees, laboratory, library, and examination fees, as well as other funds and mandatory financial contributions. Only refundable security deposits are excluded from this definition.

Before increasing fees, schools must display the revised fee structure prominently on the school premises and on their official websites at least 90 days in advance. It is also mandatory to inform parents through effective channels such as email, electronic messages, WhatsApp messages, circulars, or parent-teacher meetings.