The Delhi government is proposing amendments to the existing Delhi School Education Act and Rules 1973 to lay a mechanism to “rationalize“ school fee hike. Another component in the draft amendment bill addresses nursery admission criteria and giving the education director powers to issue instructions. The amendments that might make the 40year-old Delhi School Education Act and Rules 1973 more robust, are likely to be tabled in the Delhi assembly in the coming budget session expected to start mid-June.

According to sources, the focus of the amendments is to curtail unjustified hikes and rationalize the fee structure.It will be the first policy initiative for education by the new government.

As per sources, the draft proposes the establishment of a committee ­ chaired by an additional director, with the director as appellate authority -that will look into complaints against fee increase.The draft amendments are being firmed up with expert comments and it's learnt that the government is also drawing from the experience of Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan two states that have legislations to regulate school fee.

The draft differs from the Tamil Nadu law in the composition of the fee committee. In Tamil Nadu, the fee commit tee is headed by a retired judge and once one proposal for increase is approved, the fee cannot be raised for the next three years.

Unlike the TN Act, “no deadline has been set for the committee to redress complaints in.“ says a source.“They can take months and during that time the school will continue to charge high fees.“ But on the bright side, this internal committee won't be toothless and will have the power of a civil court. “There is also a provision for imprisonment for three to seven years if violations are proved,“ adds an education activist who has seen the bill.

In the case of nursery admissions, the bill proposes to allow the director, education to issue instructions for regulating nursery admissions such that they are “transparent“ and “inclusive.“ If the bill goes through, the director will have a say in deciding nursery admission criteria in private unaided schools.

In an interview, education minister Manish Sisodia had told TOI that education is a priority area for the government. “I have a dream of an inspiring system of education. I am working on amending the Education Act to bridge the gaps and plug loopholes in the existing system. I also have a problem with the education content,“ he'd said.