Chaudhary said all Gurgaon private schools would now have to inform the government about fee hike (through form 6), which will also include submission of account books. The institutions would have to wait for clearance from the Education Directorate in Chandigarh before going ahead with the fee increase, she said.

“Schools have to submit to the government details of fee charged, and the amount they propose to increase through form 6 before they can charge anything extra,” Chaudhary told Newsline. Most schools in Gurgaon, she said, have not filed the information till date and can be penalised as per rules.

“Schools are required to give us details of their finances and get clearance from the Education Directorate in Chandigarh before any fee-increase can be implemented. The enforcement of rules has been lax so far but we will take action now.”

The Education department will also call a meeting with principals of all private schools in Gurgaon to take up the issue, she said. Chaudhary said private schools in the district will get detailed instructions on the government’s policies and legalities of fee hike at the meeting, tentatively scheduled for Monday (February 9). Education department officials in Gurgaon said schools cannot charge any extra dues till the next academic year.