A Paradigm Shift in Delhi’s School Governance
For the first time in the Capital’s educational history, parents will not just be passive observers in their child’s schooling journey — they will be decision-makers. The Delhi School Education (Amendment) Bill 2025, passed recently in the Delhi Assembly, promises to redefine how schools are run across both government and private institutions.
While previous governments have highlighted education as a priority, this bill is being viewed as a structural reset, with accountability and transparency at its core — especially around school management, parent involvement, and fee structures.
Why This Bill Matters Now
For years, Delhi’s private schools have operated with minimal checks from parents, often facing criticism for opaque fee hikes, weak grievance redressal mechanisms, and limited parental say in the functioning of the schools. The new legislation seeks to correct this imbalance and place parents at the heart of school governance.
As Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood put it in his recent interview with The Times of India:
“Why should only bureaucrats and politicians decide how schools function? Parents have an equal stake. They have every right to know how schools are being managed — and to intervene when something isn’t right.”
This sentiment underpins the entire reform.
Key Provisions of the Delhi School Education (Amendment) Bill, 2025
Let’s break down the most impactful changes introduced by this bill:
🟢 Mandatory Inclusion of Parents in School Management Committees (SMCs)
- For the first time, private schools are mandated to include parents in their School Management Committees — a feature previously reserved for government schools under the RTE Act.
- These committees will no longer be token bodies. They are empowered to influence key decisions, including school budgets, infrastructure planning, and curriculum enrichment programs.
🟢 Regulated Fee Structures with Transparency Norms
- Private schools must upload detailed fee structures online, including justifications for any hike.
- Any increase in fees must be reviewed by an independent panel that includes parent representatives.
🟢 New Grievance Redressal Frameworks
- All schools are required to establish a Parental Grievance Redressal Cell, with timelines for resolution.
- Escalation mechanisms will now lead to district education officers and then to a newly constituted Delhi School Tribunal.
🟢 Audit Mechanisms for School Accounts
- Schools will now face independent auditing of financial records, especially in cases where fee hikes are disputed.
- Results of audits must be made publicly available on school websites.
🟢 Annual Report Cards on School Governance
- Each school must prepare and publish an Annual Governance Report, outlining:
- Financial health
- Academic performance metrics
- Teacher recruitment and training
- Safety audits and child protection measures
This report will be submitted to both the Directorate of Education and made available to all parents.
More Than Just a Private School Reform
While most discussions around the bill have focused on its impact on private schools, Delhi government schools are also undergoing major changes.
Under the new bill:
- The role of parents in government schools has been elevated.
- School heads must provide quarterly updates to SMCs.
- Parents can now review infrastructure requests and make suggestions for local partnerships, including NGOs and EdTech initiatives.
This reinforces the government’s commitment to grassroots accountability.
Education as a Democratic Space
Minister Ashish Sood’s core argument is that education cannot be treated as a closed system run solely by administrators and educators. “A child’s right to quality education cannot exist without the parent’s right to participate in shaping that experience,” he emphasized.
This bill challenges the notion that parents lack expertise to comment on pedagogy or operations. Instead, it legitimizes their lived experience as stakeholders and expands civic participation in education.
The Political Context — and What Comes Next
Critics argue that the bill may overregulate private schools, especially in terms of autonomy. Some private school associations are already expressing concern about the compliance load and fear “micromanagement” by untrained parent bodies.
However, the government counters this with a clear framework:
- Training modules for parent members of SMCs will be introduced in collaboration with civil society.
- Schools will receive transition support for reporting requirements.
- Enforcement will be phased and consultative — not punitive, according to the Minister.
If implemented effectively, the Delhi School Education (Amendment) Bill, 2025 could serve as a national model. Several state governments have expressed interest in studying its provisions, especially the parental involvement mechanisms.
What It Means for Parents in Delhi
If you are a parent in Delhi — whether your child studies in a private school or a CM Shri School — here’s what you can expect starting this academic year:
| Change | What It Means for You |
|---|---|
| Parental seats on School Committees | You may soon be invited to join your school’s SMC |
| Transparent fee disclosures | You can demand clarity on how your money is used |
| Audit rights | You can challenge unjustified fee hikes |
| Grievance redressal within timelines | You don’t have to chase school authorities endlessly |
| Yearly Governance Reports | You’ll have an overview of how your child’s school is managed |
The Bigger Picture: Power Back to Parents
This is more than a policy reform — it is a cultural shift. The idea that parents are co-creators of their children’s education is being embedded into law. No longer sidelined, Delhi’s parents now have the tools, platforms, and legal backing to speak — and be heard.
The success of this reform, of course, will depend on implementation and cooperation between schools, government bodies, and parent groups. But it’s clear that Delhi has taken a bold first step toward democratizing school governance.
And that step begins at your child’s school gate.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Delhi School Education (Amendment) Bill 2025?
The Delhi School Education (Amendment) Bill 2025 is a legislative update introduced by the Delhi Government to increase transparency, reduce bureaucratic control, and involve parents directly in school functioning. It aims to shift power from the Directorate of Education to elected School Management Committees (SMCs) where parents play a central role.
2. How does this bill change the role of parents in Delhi schools?
Parents now have an official say in how schools operate. The bill strengthens the role of the School Management Committee (SMC), which includes a majority of elected parents. They will influence decisions related to curriculum support, teacher accountability, infrastructure needs, and overall school functioning.
3. What powers are being taken away from the Directorate of Education?
The Directorate will no longer have sole authority to nominate members to SMCs or interfere in key school-level decisions. The Bill removes the clause that allowed government control over SMC composition and operations, thus reducing top-down interference.
4. Will the bill apply to private schools or only government schools?
The current amendment is focused primarily on Delhi government schools. Private schools are governed under different rules and are not directly impacted by this bill.
5. Can parents hold school principals accountable under this new bill?
Yes. Since SMCs now have increased authority, including a strong representation of parents, they can flag issues regarding absenteeism, lack of transparency, or poor academic outcomes to district authorities more effectively.
6. Why is the Delhi government pushing for more parent involvement in schools?
The government believes that empowering parents will improve accountability, bridge trust gaps between schools and communities, and create better learning outcomes by aligning school decisions with local needs and expectations.
7. Are there any concerns about this bill?
Yes. Some education experts and officials from the previous administration argue that reducing the role of the Directorate may lead to inconsistencies in school governance, uneven performance, or potential misuse of power at the local level. However, proponents argue that increased parental oversight will curb complacency and corruption.
8. When will the bill come into effect?
The bill has been passed by the Delhi Assembly and will come into effect once it receives the Lieutenant Governor’s assent and is notified officially in the Gazette.