Chandigarh, June 6: The Punjab government has directed private educational institutions to return any collected fee increases that exceed 5 percent, introducing a statewide cap to control education costs.
Aam Aadmi Party National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal announced the decision on Friday, stating that the policy will apply retroactively to any excessive hikes implemented over the past three years. The incoming legislation will regulate all school expenses collectively, including tuition, library, and development funds, ensuring the overall yearly change stays below the established limit.
“Has anything like this ever happened in the history of India, where a private school has been required to refund money directly to parents?” Kejriwal stated during a video address. “This happened earlier in Delhi when the AAP Government ensured that arbitrarily increased fees were returned. The same is now going to happen in Punjab.”
The policy requires institutions that surpassed the limit to calculate the excess amount from recent terms and return those funds directly to families. Kejriwal noted that while the state is focusing heavily on upgrading its public education infrastructure, safeguards are equally necessary for families utilizing the private sector.
The AAP leader maintained that the strategy addresses a nationwide concern regarding the financial strain placed on households by educational institutions. He asserted that the regulatory framework established in Punjab serves as a viable blueprint for other states looking to enforce accountability and protect families from sudden financial demands.
