Special Correspondent
Mumbai: Private schools in Maharashtra will no longer be allowed to hike fees arbitrarily, as the state government is preparing to introduce a new set of regulations to curb such practices. School Education Minister Dada Bhuse made this announcement in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, assuring that the rules will be implemented soon to bring transparency and accountability to the school fee structure.
The discussion arose after MLA Mahesh Chowghule raised the issue of steep fee hikes in private schools under the Annabhau Jadhav Education Trust in the Bhiwandi Municipal Corporation area. He claimed that the monthly fee in schools like Seth Jugilal Poddar English Medium School was raised from ₹700 to ₹7,000 without proper justification. Supporting the concern, MLAs Varun Sardesai and Yogesh Sagar demanded strong action to prevent such exploitation. They also pointed out that the rule allowing a maximum 15% fee hike every three years is often ignored by schools, leading to undue pressure on parents.
In response, Minister Bhuse assured the House that a new policy is being formulated that will clearly define the limits and conditions under which schools can revise their fees. He emphasized that this will eliminate the current loopholes that allow for arbitrary increases and protect the interests of students and parents alike.
Further, the minister addressed another common complaint regarding schools forcing parents to purchase books, uniforms, and other materials from specific shops or brands, often at inflated prices. BJP MLA Amol Jawale raised this issue, pointing out that such practices are exploitative and unfair. Bhuse responded that no school can legally impose such conditions on parents or students, and if any such complaints are received, strict action will be taken against the violators. He also mentioned that the 2004 Government Resolution (GR) on this matter will be strictly enforced, and related guidelines will be incorporated into the new policy.
The minister also touched upon the growing concern over the nexus between private schools and coaching classes. Highlighting the issue raised by MLA Hiramani Khoskar, Bhuse said that several junior colleges and schools have entered into tie-ups with private coaching centers to charge exorbitant fees. Courses that once cost ₹15,000 to ₹20,000 are now being sold at ₹2 to ₹2.5 lakh in the name of integrated coaching. He informed the Assembly that the department is drafting a separate set of rules to regulate the functioning of such coaching classes and sought suggestions from fellow MLAs to ensure that the new framework is comprehensive and fair.
The upcoming policy changes are expected to bring major reforms in the educational sector, especially in fee regulation, transparency in school supplies, and monitoring of coaching class collaborations. The government has also assured that it will welcome suggestions from public representatives to ensure that the policy addresses all stakeholder concerns.
With these new rules likely to be implemented from the 2025–26 academic year, the Maharashtra government is aiming to ensure that quality education remains affordable and accessible, and that schools operate within a clearly defined and accountable framework.
