Following the outburst of several parents and general public on social media about the rising school fee, and schools selling expensive books, the District
Magistrate of Gautam Buddh Nagar, Medha Roopam, has announced strict rules for all private schools in the district. As per the new regulations, private schools in Gautam Buddh Nagar cannot force students to purchase books, uniforms, shoes or other items from specific vendors and have to limit fee hikes to 7.23 per cent for the 2026-27 academic session. The decision was made in a review meeting of the District Fee Regulatory Committee that was chaired by Roopam on Tuesday (April 7) under provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Self-Financed Independent Schools (Fee Regulation) Act, 2018. During the meeting, the committee decided that private schools cannot compel students and parents to purchase books, uniforms, shoes or other items from specific vendors. The DM also insisted that private schools should promote use of NCERT books for teaching and learning. Additionally, the DM ordered schools not to alter prescribed textbooks every year and to upload details of fee hikes on their official websites. Also Read | Delhi Govt Tells Private Schools Not To Force Parents To Buy Books, Uniforms From Specific Vendors Additionally, a fee increase equivalent to Consumer Price Index (CPI) plus 5 per cent has been approved, fixing the hike at 7.23 per cent for the 2026-27 session. Since many parents had pointed out that schools keep making minor changes in their uniform and them compel students to buy new uniforms every year, the DM has now barred schools from changing uniform for five years. Any school found violating any of these rules will face penalties, that will include a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh and refund of excess fees for the first offence, a fine of Rs 5 lakh for the second offence, and for a third violation, recommendation for withdrawal of school recognition along with other punitive measures. The committee has also setup a designated email address (feecommitteegbn@gmail.com) where parents and other stakeholders can report violations related to fee hikes or other irregularities. In addition to this, the committee has also ordered that schools with swimming pools have to compulsorily obtain necessary permissions, no-objection certificates and annual registrations from competent authorities. Schools will also have to appoint male coaches for boys and female coaches for girls where such facilities exist. (With inputs from PTI)
