The Dehradun district administration has launched a stringent crackdown on the education mafia, marking the first time such strict enforcement actions have been taken. Under Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s directive, District Magistrate Savin Bansal has taken a tough stance against private schools and booksellers engaged in unfair practices.
Recently, four major bookstores were found guilty of GST evasion, overpricing, and forcing unnecessary purchases on parents. As a result, these stores were sealed, and FIRs were registered against them. The administration’s aggressive measures have also led to a 10% fee reduction at N Mary School, which had earlier hiked fees by 30%. This intervention has prompted private schools across the district to fall in line, bringing much-needed relief to parents.
With strict monitoring in place, the administration has warned private schools against charging excessive fees. Schools found violating norms will face license cancellations and shutdowns. Several top private institutions are now under scrutiny.
In response to rising complaints and protests from parents, the district administration has issued clear guidelines. Schools can increase fees by a maximum of 10% over three years. They must also ensure that textbooks, notebooks, and uniforms are available at reasonable prices in the open market. Additionally, all schools are required to publish uniform details on their websites to prevent monopolization by specific vendors.
Key private schools, including Ann Mary School, Summer Valley School, and St. Joseph’s Academy, have been given specific instructions regarding fee reductions and compliance with state regulations. Schools violating these norms will face strict legal action.
The district administration’s decisive action has put private schools on the back foot, signaling a new era of accountability in Dehradun’s education sector.
