3 June 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has announced major measures aimed at regulating private school fees, capping annual fee increases at 5 percent and directing institutions to refund excess amounts collected from parents.
The move is being seen as one of the state government’s strongest interventions against what the Chief Minister described as the “school mafia” and alleged profiteering by certain private educational institutions.
Annual Fee Hike Capped At 5%
Under the new policy, private schools in Punjab will not be allowed to increase fees by more than 5 percent in a year without following prescribed regulations.
The government said the decision is intended to provide relief to parents who have long complained about steep and frequent fee hikes.
Refund Orders Issued
Authorities have also directed schools that collected fees beyond permitted limits to refund the excess amount to parents.
Officials stated that strict action could be taken against institutions found violating the new guidelines.
Relief For Parents
The decision comes after repeated complaints from parents regarding:
- Sudden fee increases
- Additional charges
- Lack of transparency
- Rising education costs
- Financial burden on families
Many parent associations welcomed the government’s intervention and called it a significant step toward accountability.
Government Targets Irregularities
The Punjab government said education should remain accessible and affordable rather than becoming a source of excessive commercial gain.
Officials indicated that regulatory mechanisms would be strengthened to ensure compliance by private schools.
Monitoring And Enforcement
The administration plans to closely monitor fee structures and investigate complaints submitted by parents.
Authorities have urged families to report instances where schools fail to follow the new directives.
Education Sector Debate
While parents’ groups have largely supported the decision, some private school representatives have argued that operational costs, infrastructure expenses, and staff salaries must also be considered when determining fee structures.
The issue is expected to remain a subject of discussion between educational institutions and the government.
CM’s Strong Message
Bhagwant Mann stated that the government would not allow parents to be subjected to unreasonable financial pressure and emphasized that student welfare remains a priority.
The Chief Minister said education should not become inaccessible due to rising costs.
Wider Impact Expected
Education experts believe the policy could influence fee regulation debates in other states, particularly as concerns over affordability continue to grow across the country.
The move may also encourage greater transparency in how schools determine and communicate fee revisions.
Focus On Affordable Education
The Punjab government has presented the decision as part of its broader efforts to improve access to quality education while protecting families from excessive financial burdens.
Officials say the administration will continue reviewing policies affecting students and parents across the state.
Parents Welcome Decision
Many parents have expressed hope that the new measures will bring greater predictability to education expenses and reduce disputes over fee collection.
The implementation and enforcement of the policy will now be closely watched by schools, parents, and education stakeholders across Punjab.