Delhi govt holds meeting with principals on changes in Edu Act

To regulate "exorbitant" fee charged by the private schools in Delhi, the AAP government today held a meeting with over 250 private school principals to discuss amendments that can be brought in the Delhi School Education Act, 1973.
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who also holds the charge of education portfolio, had earlier announced to amend the education act to regulate exorbitant fees being charged by the private schools along with having a dedicated education board for Delhi.
The government is expected to table the amendment in the education act during the next session of Delhi Assembly.
Sisodia discussed with principals how the government can provide relief to common man from being charged exorbitant fees without compromising the autonomy and quality of schools.

During the meeting, the minister acknowledged the importance and critical role that the private schools are playing in the education system of Delhi.
The minister appreciated the work done by schools but highlighted the alarming situation in which around 30-40 per cent of the household income is being spent on paying the school fee as per a recent ASSOCHAM report.

Emphasising on the need to amend the education act to bring reform in the sector, Sisodia had earlier said, "Education system in Delhi is working on an Act made in 1973, which has become old. World has moved on but we are still following old law. We have to rewrite it according to modern vision and modern education system."

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had also stressed on the needd to regulate fee of private schools during Google Hangout in the month of May. He had said his government would bring in changes in law to regulate fee hike in private schools.
During the meeting, the schools also expressed their concerns regarding high costs of land, teacher salaries, commercial rates for electricity and water.
A senior government official claimed that schools submitted detailed suggestions along with various working models that allow the schools to continue to provide quality education without compromising the autonomy of the school.
"Sisodia assured that the government respects the autonomy of private schools and would not take actions that compromise quality," the senior officer said.