JANSEWA Desk: Great news for parents in Saran district! The district administration has finally put a full stop to the arbitrary fee collection by private schools. District Magistrate Vaibhav Srivastava has issued a strict order making it clear that no private school can now charge parents re-admission fees, annual fees, or any kind of extra charges. This decision brings relief to thousands of parents who have been troubled by the arbitrary practices of schools every year.
The DM took this step even before the start of the new academic session so that unnecessary financial burden is not placed on parents. Under this order, all private schools must publish their complete list of books and uniforms by April 15, 2026. Additionally, once a uniform is decided, no changes can be made to it for at least 3 years. This is a historic decision that could mark the beginning of change in Bihar’s education sector.
What Was the Problem?
The growing arbitrariness of private schools in Saran district had become a serious problem. Parents had been continuously complaining that schools were collecting money arbitrarily in the name of re-admission fees, dress and books, development charges, and other items. Some schools had even designated specific shops for commission purposes, forcing parents to buy uniforms, books, and other materials only from there.
Parents struggling with rising school fees and expenses
The practice of changing uniforms every year had also increased parents’ troubles. For middle-class families, this had become a major financial burden. This arbitrariness of schools had grown so much that education had become a business, in which parents had to remain helpless for their children’s good education. Many parents shared that their monthly budget had completely deteriorated due to school fees.
The fees collected by schools included various names such as development charges, computer fees, smart class charges, sports fees, which had become a major financial burden for parents. Some schools also demanded separate money in the name of annual functions and educational trips. All of this had become a nightmare for parents.
Government Action – DM’s Strict Stance
Taking all these complaints seriously, District Magistrate Vaibhav Srivastava has issued strict instructions to the District Education Officer. In his order, the DM stated that under the Bihar Private Schools (Fee Regulation) Act, 2019, implemented by the Bihar Government on February 22, 2019, there is a provision for controlling fees in private schools.
The DM termed this practice as extremely serious and objectionable, stating that it not only puts additional financial burden on parents but also promotes corruption in the education system. He emphasized the need to immediately stop the monopoly system created by private schools. He made it clear that making education a business and financially exploiting parents is not acceptable under any circumstances.
The DM said that education is a basic right and no school is allowed to use it for commercial purposes. He warned all schools that if any school violates the rules, strictest action will be taken against it.
New Rules – What Will Happen Now?
According to the DM’s order, all private schools will have to follow these new instructions:
• Publish list of books and uniforms by April 15, 2026
• No changes to uniform for at least 3 years
• Mandatory display of fee structure
• Re-admission fee collection prohibited for all schools
• Parents cannot be forced to buy from specific shops
• No separate money can be taken in the name of annual charges
• Receipt mandatory for every type of fee
Government officials conducting inspection of private schools
Team Formed for Inspection
Making the Block Education Officer the nodal officer, an order has been issued for inspection of all private schools. During the inspection, special attention will be paid to these points:
• School affiliation (CBSE/BSEB)
• Fee structure and receipts
• Re-admission fee collection
• Compulsion in purchase of uniform and books
• Changes in uniform
• Parents’ complaints
• Financial transparency of the school
During the inspection, important points such as school name, UDISE code, operating classes, total number of enrolled students, affiliation status, fee structure, and receipt arrangement will be reviewed.
Strict Action for Violating Rules
If any irregularity is found in a school, strict action will be taken:
• Illegally collected fees will be refunded
• Show cause notice will be issued to the school
• Affiliation may be cancelled or suspended
• Legal action against principal and management
• Fine may be imposed on school management
Monitoring of compliance with this entire order will be done by the SDO at the divisional level and the District Education Officer at the district level. They have been instructed to investigate complaints and regularly provide reports of actions taken to the District Magistrate.
Wave of Happiness Among Parents
Parents have found hope for relief from the district administration’s strict stance. Parents troubled for a long time by the increasing fees and arbitrary system of private schools are viewing this initiative as a positive and necessary step.
One parent said, “Every year schools would increase fees and take separate money in the name of re-admission. Now that the administration has taken action, there will be some relief.” Another parent said, “Schools would designate fixed shops for buying books and uniforms where we had to buy expensive items. Now this will stop.”
A middle-class father shared his problem, saying that most of his salary would go towards his children’s school fees. Now he hopes that his burden will be reduced and he will be able to manage his children’s good education along with other household expenses easily.
Legal Framework – Bihar Fee Regulation Act 2019
Under the Bihar Private Schools (Fee Regulation) Act, 2019, no private school can increase fees by more than 7%. This Act was also recognized by the Patna High Court in February 2024. According to the Act, a Fee Regulatory Committee is formed under the chairmanship of the Divisional Commissioner, which includes two representatives from parents and two representatives from school management.
This committee has the authority to control fee increases and resolve complaints. If any school violates the rules, the committee can take strictest action. The committee has quasi-judicial powers that can resolve complaints.
According to the Act, no school can compel parents to buy materials from any specific shop or place. Schools are required to make public on their website or notice board class-wise lists of books, uniform information, and details of other necessary materials.
What Will Happen Now?
Now it remains to be seen how much impact this order of the administration has at the ground level and how much transparency private schools bring to their operations. Parents also need to become aware and increase awareness about their rights so that no school can exploit them.
This step by Saran district shows that the government is strict against institutions that make education a business. If this order is implemented properly, it can become an example for other districts of Bihar as well. Parents hope that the burden of their children’s education will now be reduced and quality education will be accessible to all.
This decision can mark a new beginning in the field of education where education emerges not as a business but as a service. It is hoped that other districts of Bihar will also follow this path and the looting of parents’ hard-earned money will stop.
