The Nepal government has warned private schools against charging fees beyond prescribed limits after receiving multiple complaints from parents alleging arbitrary collections around the end of one academic session and the start of another.
According to a report by The Kathmandu Post, the Ministry of Education has taken serious note of evidence suggesting that some institutions were enrolling students and collecting hefty charges even before the formal commencement of the 2026 academic session. The ministry has now directed schools to admit students only after the academic year begins and to strictly adhere to the Institutional (Private) School Fee Determination Criteria Directive, 2015.
Authorities have warned of strict action against violations, including mandatory refunds to parents and penalties under prevailing laws. Local governments have been instructed to ensure compliance. Complaints include charging under unapproved heads and repeatedly collecting admission fees from already enrolled students.
The directive allows fees under 14 categories, including tuition, admission, examination, and transportation, but sets clear limits. For instance, tuition can only be charged for 12 months, admission fees must not exceed one month's tuition and can be levied only once, while annual fees are capped at two months' tuition. Violations can attract fines of up to Rs 25,000 and even cancellation of licences for repeat offences.
The crackdown follows an interim order by the Supreme Court directing schools to begin admissions only after the academic session starts. The court emphasised adherence to the academic calendar and due process in admissions.
In India, concerns over private school fees have also triggered action and protests. In Delhi, parents recently demonstrated outside a private school in East Delhi, alleging coercive measures such as withholding report cards and threats of removal over fee disputes. They claimed fee hikes of nearly 57 per cent over two years and said they would only pay charges approved by authorities.
At the policy level, the Delhi government has proposed the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Act, 2025, aimed at regulating fee hikes across around 1,700 private schools. However, implementation has been deferred to the 2026-27 academic session, and the Delhi High Court has stayed provisions requiring schools to form fee regulation committees for now.
