A prominent Christian organisation in Assam has raised serious concern over the state government’s move to tighten control on private school fees.
The reaction comes after the government tabled the Assam Private Educational Institutions (Regulation of Fees) Amendment Bill, 2025 in the state assembly on Tuesday.
The Bill aims to regulate the fee structure of private schools more strictly, with the government arguing that it intends to prevent arbitrary fee hikes and protect parents from financial pressure.
However, several minority-run institutions—particularly Christian schools—believe the new regulations may interfere with the autonomy and functioning of private educational institutions.
Why the Concern?
According to the Christian body, the Bill:
May undermine the independence of minority educational institutions
Could restrict academic and administrative freedom, especially regarding fee decisions
Might impose uniform rules that do not consider the diverse needs of institutions
Risks affecting the financial stability and infrastructure development of private schools
Many Christian schools in Assam have historically been run by church organisations and are known for their educational contributions.
They fear the new rules may affect their ability to maintain standards, pay staff, and upgrade facilities.
What the Amendment Bill Proposes
The Assam Private Educational Institutions (Regulation of Fees) Amendment Bill, 2025 seeks to:
Introduce a clearer framework for fee regulation
Monitor annual fee revisions by private schools
Prevent “excessive or unjustified” fee hikes
Improve transparency in fee structures
Strengthen state oversight on school finances
The government argues that the Bill is designed to protect parents and ensure affordability, especially as many private schools have been criticised for steep fee increases in recent years.
Christian Body’s Perspective
The organisation highlights:
Minority institutions operate under constitutional protection
They should be allowed to fix fees based on required educational standards
Government overreach could affect their ability to provide quality education
Dialogue with stakeholders is essential before implementing such rules
They have urged the government to reconsider certain provisions and consult minority education boards.
Government’s Stand
The Assam government maintains that:
The Bill is not targeting any specific community or institution
Its goal is to ensure fairness and transparency
Parents should not be burdened by unrealistic fee structures
Accountability is important in the private education sector
Officials argue that the Bill will encourage responsible fee management while maintaining educational quality.
Impact on Private Educational Institutions
If implemented, the Bill could lead to:
More scrutiny of school finances
Limitations on yearly fee increments
Mandatory disclosures of fee justification
Possible restructuring of fee-based revenue models
Private schools, especially minority-run institutions, may need to adjust their administrative strategies to comply with the regulations.
FAQs
1. What is the Assam Private Educational Institutions (Regulation of Fees) Amendment Bill, 2025?
It is a Bill aimed at regulating private school fees and preventing unjustified fee hikes.
2. Why is the Christian body concerned?
They fear the Bill may interfere with the autonomy of minority-run educational institutions.
3. Which schools will be affected?
All private educational institutions, including minority-run schools, may fall under its purview.
4. What does the government claim?
The government says it only wants transparency and fairness in fee structures.
5. Has the Bill been passed?
It has been tabled in the state assembly; further discussions and decisions will follow.
Published on : 27th November
Published by : SMITA
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