New Delhi [India], April 7: AAP Leader and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Atishi has written a strong letter to Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, demanding immediate action against the rising fees in private schools. Atishi urged the government to stop schools from collecting any enhanced fees until their accounts are audited by CAG-empaneled auditors.
In her letter, Atishi stated that education is not a commercial activity and warned against profiteering by private schools.
“Over the last 10 years, the previous government led by Arvind Kejriwal ji and thereafter me, followed this principle not just in letter but in spirit. Unfortunately, within two months of your government, private schools seem to have gotten a license to fleece parents,” she wrote.
She highlighted growing protests by parents, claiming that students are being denied entry into schools unless increased fees are paid.
“After the BJP government came to power in Delhi, private schools have started looting fees,” Atishi added.
She criticized the BJP-led administration for lax regulation, stating that under the AAP government, no school could hike fees without an audit. If schools were found to have overcharged, they were compelled to refund the excess fees, even to past students.
Atishi said the current situation has led to public outcry, with parents tagging AAP leaders on social media and seeking their help despite the party being in opposition.
“Every day there is news of a fee hike in some school or the other,” she emphasized.
She urged CM Gupta to issue immediate orders preventing any private school from collecting increased fees until proper audits are conducted, and any hike, even marginal, must be justified by genuine financial need.