Delhi Government Cracks Down on Private Schools Over Fee Irregularities
Rekha Gupta-Led Administration Orders Comprehensive Financial Audit
New Delhi | National Desk:
In a significant move aimed at curbing alleged financial irregularities and arbitrary fee hikes, the Delhi government has decided to conduct a detailed financial audit of private schools across the capital. The decision comes in response to a growing number of complaints from parents regarding excessive fee collection and lack of transparency in school finances.
The Rekha Gupta-led administration has taken this step to ensure accountability and safeguard the interests of students and their families. Officials stated that preliminary reviews and individual inspections were insufficient to uncover deeper financial discrepancies, prompting the need for a more comprehensive examination.
Special Audit Teams to Be Formed
To carry out the large-scale audit, the Directorate of Education (DoE) will appoint three dedicated Project Management Units (PMUs). Each unit will consist of 10 qualified Chartered Accountants, bringing the total number of financial experts involved in the process to 30.
These teams will be responsible for scrutinizing the financial statements, income sources, expenditure patterns, and fee structures of the schools under review. The government has estimated the total cost of conducting this extensive audit at approximately ₹6.3 crore.
Officials emphasized that the move reflects the administration’s commitment to transparency and regulatory oversight in the education sector. The appointment of independent Chartered Accountants is expected to ensure objectivity and professional evaluation of financial records.
Scope and Duration of the Audit
The audit will cover nearly 1,794 private unaided recognized schools operating in Delhi. Authorities will examine financial records from the past three academic years to identify potential irregularities, including unauthorized fee hikes, misuse of funds, or violations of prescribed financial norms.
According to the Education Department, routine inspections based on individual complaints often fail to reveal systemic issues. While such inspections address specific grievances, they may not detect broader financial mismanagement. Therefore, a thorough review of audited balance sheets, income-expenditure statements, and related documents has been deemed essential.
The audit will also assess whether schools have complied with existing regulations governing fee revisions and financial disclosures. If discrepancies are found, appropriate action may be taken under applicable laws and guidelines.
Objective: Transparency and Protection of Parents’ Interests
The primary objective of this initiative is to ensure greater transparency in the functioning of private schools and to protect parents from unjustified financial burdens. Over the past few years, many parents have raised concerns about sudden fee increases, mandatory charges under various heads, and limited clarity regarding how collected funds are utilized.
By conducting a structured financial review, the Delhi government aims to bring accountability to the private education sector while maintaining a balance between institutional autonomy and regulatory compliance.
Education officials have reiterated that the exercise is not intended to target institutions unfairly but to establish a transparent and fair framework. The administration believes that improved financial governance will strengthen trust between schools and parents.
This sweeping audit initiative marks one of the most comprehensive reviews of private school finances in Delhi in recent years and signals the government’s intent to take firm action against any malpractice in the education system.
