Overview
- The bench refused to stay the December 24 Directorate of Education notification requiring School-Level Fee Regulation Committees and moved the formation deadline to January 20, with fee submissions due February 5.
- The court noted the exercise as a one-time measure tied to the Act’s proviso treating 2025–26 charges as proposed fees.
- Notices were issued to the Directorate of Education and the Lieutenant Governor, and the DoE, through ASG S. V. Raju, agreed to the extended timelines as the court kept all steps under review.
- Private-school associations are pursuing constitutional challenges, alleging conflict with the 1973 law, violations of Articles 14 and 19(1)(c) and 19(1)(g), improper issuance by the DoE, and retrospective application.
- Under the Act, each SLFRC includes management representatives (with a management chair), the principal, three teachers, five parents, and a DoE nominee, and it vets fee proposals before any increase.