Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday announced that no school in the state will be allowed to increase its fees by more than five per cent annually. The decision comes in the wake of the alleged suicide of a student in Amritsar, a case that has triggered widespread concern over fee-related pressure on students and their families.
Addressing a press conference in Chandigarh, Mann expressed grief over the incident and said the state government would introduce a law to regulate fee hikes by private schools.
The Chief Minister said the proposed legislation would ensure that educational institutions cannot raise fees beyond the prescribed limit of five per cent in a year. He added that schools found violating the norm would face strict action under the law.
Mann further stated that the government is also examining fee increases implemented over the past three years. According to him, schools that collected more than a 15 per cent increase during this period could be directed to refund the excess amount to students and parents.
Referring to the Amritsar case, the Chief Minister said legal action would be taken against those found responsible for allegedly forcing the student into extreme distress. He added that a case would be registered and due legal proceedings initiated against the school management if any wrongdoing is established during the investigation.
The announcement signals a major policy intervention by the Punjab government in the private education sector, with the stated aim of protecting students and ensuring greater accountability in fee regulation.
