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Mint
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Mint
Delhi Govt shortlists 75 ‘CM Shri Schools' — Here's what sets them apart
Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood said on June 19 that the Bharatiya Janata Party government in the national capital has provisionally shortlisted schools for the 75 newly announced 'CM Shri Schools'. These schools are expected to become operational in the coming weeks, Sood said. "Most of the CM Shri Schools have been shortlisted. These schools will start functioning soon, and preparations to operationalise them are currently underway," Sood said. Sood said a number of existing government schools are being upgraded and developed into CM Shri Schools. The Directorate of Education has already initiated the recruitment process for teaching and leadership positions in these schools. The Bharatiya Janata Party came to power in the national capital after 27 years by defeating the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led by Arvind Kejriwal in the assembly polls held in February this year. Remember, public school education has also been a focus of the previous AAP government in Delhi In a circular issued on June 5, the department invited applications from teachers, Post Graduate Teachers (PGTs), Trained Graduate Teachers (TGTs), Primary Teachers (PRTs), and other teaching staff, having at least five years before they retire. Another circular issued on June 10 opened applications for principals and vice-principals who wish to transfer to the new schools, with the same retirement conditions. The CM Shri Schools initiative is an education reform launched by the Chief Minister Rekha Gupta-led Delhi government in its 2025–26 budget. It builds on the existing PM Shri model from the Centre. An official quoted by the news agency PTI said these upcoming schools are designed to be sustainable and environmentally friendly, operating as zero-waste and solar-powered campuses. "These schools will have AI-enabled libraries, smart classrooms equipped with Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) tools, smartboards, and biometric attendance systems," the official said. The schools will also feature robotics laboratories to foster interest in the field among students, he added. According to Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's Delhi Budget speech, a corpus of ₹ 100 crore has been allocated for setting up these schools. CM Shri schools are model government schools upgraded under a scheme similar to the Centre's PM Shri (Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India), which aims to provide exemplary National Education Policy ‑ 2020 aligned education. The Delhi government initially announced 60 CM Shri schools in March 2025, with ₹ 100 crore allocated. Later, the number was raised to 75 schools, which were to be operational within a year. -The schools will undergo an infrastructure overhaul, including facilities for smart boards, AI tools, robotics, labs for science, computers, languages, and renovated classrooms. -The curriculum in these schools will be in accordance with NEP 2020. -The Directorate of Education has already initiated the recruitment process for teaching and leadership positions in these schools.
Hans India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Delhi's ordinance to raise school fees is a preposterous move
The Delhi government recently issued a circular, which requires private unaided schools that have been granted land by government entities to obtain prior approval from the Directorate of Education (DoE) before raising their fees for the 2024-25 academic year. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta warned of action against private schools that have increased fees arbitrarily. She said: ... no school has any right to harass parents and children. They have no right to threaten children and hike fees abnormally. ….' It was strongly opposed by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Saurabh Bhardwaj, who alleged that the state government had succumbed to pressure from private school lobbies by introducing a school fee ordinance without legislative oversight or public consultation. The Congress also opposed the 'ordinance' with the party's Delhi unit chief Devender Yadav blaming the BJP's decision 'to approve the ordinance without consulting stakeholders' as 'undemocratic' as it betrayed and stifled the voice of lakhs of students and their parents, 'who have been protesting against the arbitrary fee hike by private schools for months'. In a subsequent development many parents challenged the circular in the Delhi High Court. The circular has led to confusion and worries among parents, as many private schools have used these orders to almost double the tuition fees. The parents' group said that the High Court, by allowing such fee hikes without approval from the DoE, has gone against its own earlier decisions and also against the Supreme Court's past directions. The petitioners pointed out that allowing such fee increases without proper checks could lead to further misuse of power by private schools. Earlier judgments of SC: The Supreme Court had earlier this month criticised private schools in Delhi for hiking fees without prior government approval, particularly targeting schools constructed on government-allotted land, even as they were legally obligated to follow specific regulatory conditions. The SC noticed a violation of conditions and criticised that many elite private schools in Delhi operate on land allotted by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) at concessional rates. A condition of the lease mandates that these schools obtain prior approval from the Directorate of Education (DoE) before increasing tuition or any other fees. The apex court observed that schools violated this lease condition by hiking fees unilaterally. It held that the state government should be accountable and transparent. In some other previous judgments (like Modern School v. Union of India, 2004), the SC held that education is not a commercial activity and fee structures must be reasonable. It reiterated that school fees should not become an economic barrier that undermines the Right to Education under Article 21A. Thus, the observations reinforce the Delhi government's authority to regulate private school fees, particularly those on public land. It also legitimises audits and penalties imposed by the Delhi Directorate of Education on non-compliant schools. Several schools may be required to refund excess fees and face restrictions on future hikes. The Supreme Court criticised schools that hike fees without government approval, especially when they occupy government-allotted land. Earlier in April, the government issued show-cause notices to 11 schools and initiated audits after uncovering widespread fee-hike abuses. Upholding Right to Education: Thus, the ordinary students now have legal recourse against arbitrary hikes, and their selection process may favour uninformed participants. While school representatives dominate decisions, the Delhi government claims penalties and committees could improve accountability and transparent fee structures. It is a democratic deficit as the ordinance bypassed legislative debate and public consultation, raising concerns about legitimacy and inclusivity. Fee hikes that occurred between April 1 and enforcement of the ordinance may remain unaddressed, leaving parents in limbo. Notice to the Supreme Court: The Supreme Court has rightly issued notice to the Directorate of Education, the Delhi government, and the Action Committee for Unaided Recognised Private Schools regarding a plea challenging the order of the Delhi High Court. Unfortunately, this 'order' permitted private schools situated on government land to increase tuition fees without prior approval from the DOE. Will this 'order' order the possibility of education? It directly disturbs 'law and order'. The government should wait for the 'order'. This notice came in response to a petition challenging the Delhi High Court's April 2024 decisions, which allowed private schools built on government land in Delhi to increase their tuition fees without taking prior approval from the DoE. A vacation bench, comprising Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih, took up the hearing. The bench was responding to a petition filed by the Naya Samaj Parents Association, a group representing parents of students studying in private schools. The Supreme Court on May 29 issued notice to the Delhi Director of Education in a plea challenging the order of the Delhi High Court that allowed the increase of fees by private unaided schools on government lands. Delhi govt ordinance promulgated: The state cabinet on June 11 approved the issue of the ordinance aimed at regulating the fee structure of private schools in the national capital. The ordinance, titled the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Ordinance, 2025, was ready to be forwarded to the President through the office of the Lieutenant-Governor for formal assent. Once enacted, it will operate retrospectively from April 1, 2025. Instead of empowering the common man, the ordinance 'empowers' the government, preferring to impose fines of up to ₹10 lakh per school for violating fee norms and to revoke a school's ability to propose further fee hikes. The question is whether this 'hurried' ordinance will regulate arbitrary fee hikes by private schools in the national capital. Will it indeed give major relief to lakhs of students studying in private schools and their parents in the city? Why the ordinance with a retrospective effect? The ordinance says that schools found charging fees more than the permitted limit will be mandated to reverse the hike and refund the surplus amount within 20 working days. Failure to do so will lead to escalating financial penalties. Specifically, the fine will double if the delay crosses 20 working days, triple after 40 days, and continue to rise with every 20-day interval. It was further added that 'for a first violation, the ordinance prescribes a monetary penalty ranging between ₹one lakh and ₹five lakh. In the event of repeated non-compliance, the fine may increase to between ₹two lakh and ₹10 lakh, depending on the severity and frequency of the offence. The ordinance claimed that it is designed to bring greater transparency and fairness to the fee structures adopted by private schools and provide relief to parents burdened by abrupt and arbitrary fee hikes. The Delhi and other states, too, must ensure that fee committees are transparent, diverse, and balanced school and parent representation. Violations are penalized, and past arbitrary fee hikes (April–June 2025) are properly redressed, and Legislative procedures and public consultations are honored in future amendments or laws. It's a case of misusing the power of promulgation of an ordinance and, in essence, violence against the right to education, unfortunately. (The writer is Advisor, School of Law, Mahindra University, Hyderabad)
Indian Express
7 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
Delhi schools asked to step up anti-malaria measures during June
With monsoon expected to hit Delhi soon, the Directorate of Education (DoE), has asked all schools across the Capital to intensify efforts to prevent mosquito breeding and raise awareness about malaria. In a circular issued on Friday, the department directed government, government-aided, and private unaided schools to carry out targeted activities throughout June, which is observed nationally as Anti-Malaria Month. The directive builds on earlier instructions issued in April related to controlling vector-borne diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, and malaria, which are most likely to surge during the monsoon season. With increased mosquito activity expected in the coming weeks, schools have been asked to check for stagnant water, maintain cleanliness on their premises, and conduct awareness programmes for students and staff. In the circular, the Directorate stated: 'Government of India (GoI) has fixed the year 2030 as a target for eradication of malaria. The month of June is observed as Anti-Malaria Month (AMM) every year prior to the onset of the transmission season of malaria. The objective of observing the AMM before the onset of monsoon is to enhance community awareness, participation, and motivation of all stakeholders.' As part of the campaign, schools and educational offices have been advised to take several key actions: inspect campuses for mosquito breeding and water stagnation; display 'Do's and Don'ts' related to malaria prevention at prominent spots; sensitise staff on vector-borne diseases; and organise health talks or awareness sessions in offices or institutions. The Directorate has also issued a clear set of Do's and Don'ts with special emphasis on generating community awareness and not creating panic. Education officials at the zonal and district levels have been asked to ensure compliance across all schools, along with the school heads.
News18
11-06-2025
- Business
- News18
Delhi Govt Accepts Ordinance To Regulate School Fees, Imposes Strict Penalties
Last Updated: Ashish Sood said that the decision by the Delhi government will play a crucial role in controlling arbitrary fee hikes by 1,677 private schools in Delhi in the future. The Delhi Cabinet on Tuesday approved an ordinance to regulate the fee structure in private schools. This ordinance allows the city government to impose fines of up to Rs 10 lakh on schools and revoke their right to propose fee revisions if they violate norms, reported PTI. During a press conference, Delhi's Education Minister Ashish Sood announced that the cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, approved the ordinance. This decision is based on the proposed Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2025. 'The ordinance will be sent for presidential assent through the Lieutenant Governor. This is a day of happiness for parents whose children study in private schools. It will eventually take the form of a law," Sood said. He mentioned that the decision by the Delhi government will play a crucial role in controlling arbitrary fee hikes by 1,677 private schools in Delhi in the future. The draft ordinance, approved by the cabinet on April 29, imposes strict penalties on schools that arbitrarily increase fees, including the loss of the right to propose fee revisions, the report added. It specifies that if a school charges fees exceeding the allowed norms, it must refund the excess amount within 20 working days. For the first offence, the school will be fined between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 5 lakh. For repeat offences, the penalty will range from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. If the school fails to refund the amount within the stipulated time, the fine will double after 20 days, triple after 40 days, and continue increasing with each 20-day delay. The ordinance also has provisions for penalising repeated violators, the PTI report added. Three committees will be established to oversee the fee regulation process — one at the school level, one at the district level, and a Revision Committee at the highest level. The 'Revision Committee' will be the final authority on disputes or decisions related to school fees. It will be led by the Director of Education and include an eminent educationist, a chartered accountant, the Controller of Accounts, representatives from schools and parents, and a former education official. Its decisions will be binding for three years. The 'District Committee' will be chaired by the District Director of Education, with members including the Deputy Director of Education of the zone, two school principals nominated by the Directorate of Education (DoE), and two parents' representatives also nominated by the DoE. This committee will resolve disputes between school management and the School Level Fee Regulation Committees. Every private unaided school, including those offering Indian and foreign curricula, minority institutions, and those allocated land at concessional rates, must establish a 'School Level Fee Regulation Committee' each academic year by July 15. This committee will be chaired by a school management representative, with the Principal serving as Secretary. Other members will include three teachers, five parents (selected by lot), and one DoE nominee. The committee must include at least one member from the SC/ST/OBC categories and at least two women. Its tenure will last one academic year. Fee-related appeals can first be taken to the District Committee. Any aggrieved party, including parents, school management, or the School Level Committee, can escalate the issue to the Revision Committee, which the government will officially notify. The list of committee members must be displayed within seven working days of formation. The committee must hold a general meeting before August 15 and perform its functions as per the Act. Parents cannot serve on the committee for more than two consecutive years, and a two-year gap is required before being eligible for nomination again. Schools are granted the autonomy to propose fees within a set framework. For the academic year 2025–26, the fees already charged from April 1, 2025, will be treated as the proposed fees. However, any school whose recognition has been suspended, found guilty of violating the Act, or penalised twice in succession under Section 14, will not be allowed to propose any fee hikes. Stay updated with the latest education! Get real-time updates on board exam results 2025, entrance exams such as JEE Mains, Advanced, NEET, and more. Find out top schools, colleges, courses and more. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : school fee Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 11, 2025, 16:08 IST News education-career Delhi Govt Accepts Ordinance To Regulate School Fees, Imposes Strict Penalties
Hindustan Times
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
FYJC admission schedule postponed by 10 days
Mumbai: The confusion around First Year Junior College (FYJC) or Class 11 online admissions deepens as the Directorate of Education has once again revised the official schedule, just a day before admissions were to begin. The first merit list, which was to be released on June 10, will now be released on June 26. A junior college principal from Andheri said, 'This is not the first change in the process. Since the release of the original government resolution for the FYJC admission procedure, the schedule has already been altered three times. The timeline for in-house and minority quota admissions has also been revised twice. With the latest update, both the zero round merit list and the Centralised Admission Process (CAP) schedule have been pushed further, complicating the process even more.' As per the first FYJC schedule announced by the department on May 18, the first merit list was to be declared on June 6. This date was postponed to June 10, and now June 26. As per the new schedule, the in-house and minority quota admissions will take place between June 12 to June 14. Students who are allotted colleges in the first merit list need to visit the respective colleges and confirm their admission between June 27 and July 3. Ankush Waghmare, a parent from Thane, said that this change would further delay the start of the academic year. He added that earlier the government had scheduled colleges to begin on July 1, but he now expects them to start only in August. Mahendra Ganpule, former spokesperson of Maharashtra state principals association, said, 'The government is trying to implement this online admission process across the state without proper planning, or any dummy rounds.' He added that the government must take responsibility for the confusion, fix the issue, and complete the process on time to give relief to students. Shriram Panzade, director of secondary and higher education, acknowledged the delay in the admission process and said that they would try to start the academic year as early as possible. He added that this will be their first time conducting admissions online, and processing more that 1.2 million students' data would take time. 'After the first round we will be able to do other rounds seamlessly,' he added.
