Punjab Governor Approves 5% Cap on Private School Fee Hikes

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced on Monday that Governor Gulab Chand Kataria has given his approval to an ordinance capping fee hikes by private schools in the state at 5% per annum. The ordinance, titled 'The Punjab Regulation of Fee of Unaided Education Institutions (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026', was approved by the Punjab Cabinet last month.

The Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to the Governor for approving the ordinance, which aims to stop hefty and multiple kinds of fees charged by private schools. Mann stated that his government is committed to ensuring that the common man is not unnecessarily financially burdened by private schools.

The move comes after a tragic incident in Amritsar, where a 17-year-old girl student allegedly committed suicide after facing mental harassment by her school over pending dues. The Chief Minister received many calls from parents regarding arbitrary fee hikes by private schools, prompting him to take action.

Mann noted that education has been made a business, and many parents have approached him complaining about steep fee hikes by private schools. He assured parents that his government is committed to ensuring that private schools do not charge excessive fees.

The ordinance was brought by amending the Punjab Regulation of Fee of Unaided Educational Institutions Act, 2016. The move aims to have an effective control over fee hikes, provide protection to students and parents from arbitrary fee hikes, ensure transparency and accountability in fee structure, and protect the interests of students and parents.

A Fee Regulation Committee will be constituted under every Deputy Commissioner to scrutinise the fee details submitted by private schools and ensure that no payments are being diverted to any other accounts. This move is expected to bring relief to parents who have been struggling with excessive fee hikes by private schools.

The Punjab government's decision to cap private school fee hikes at 5% per annum is a significant step towards regulating the education sector in the state. The move is expected to have a positive impact on students and parents who have been affected by arbitrary fee hikes.

In recent years, there have been numerous complaints about private schools charging excessive fees, and the Punjab government's decision is a welcome move towards addressing this issue. The constitution of a Fee Regulation Committee will also help to ensure that private schools are transparent and accountable in their fee structure.

The approval of the ordinance by the Governor is a significant development, and it is expected to bring relief to thousands of students and parents in the state. The Punjab government's commitment to regulating the education sector is a positive step towards ensuring that education is accessible and affordable for all.

In conclusion, the Punjab Governor's approval of the ordinance capping private school fee hikes at 5% per annum is a significant move towards regulating the education sector in the state. The move is expected to have a positive impact on students and parents, and it is a welcome step towards addressing the issue of excessive fee hikes by private schools.