Patna: Samrat Choudhary has announced a crackdown on what the Bihar government describes as arbitrary practices by private schools, including unregulated fee hikes and compulsory purchases of books and uniforms from designated vendors.
The chief minister said the state intended to make the education system “more transparent, equitable and accessible”, warning that institutions violating government directives would face strict action.
Government Targets Fee Hikes And Forced Purchases
In a post shared on X on Tuesday, Choudhary said the government was taking proactive measures to ensure accountability and transparency in private educational institutions.
According to the chief minister, private schools will now be required to publicly disclose their complete fee structures.
He added that:
- arbitrary fee increases would not be permitted
- unnecessary charges would be prohibited
- parents would be free to buy books and uniforms from vendors of their own choice
The government also directed that no student should be denied examination results because of pending fee dues.
Officials said strict punitive action would be taken against schools found violating the new directives.
निजी स्कूलों में पारदर्शिता और जवाबदेही सुनिश्चित करने की पहल!
प्रदेश के निजी स्कूलों में मनमानी रोकने, फीस को नियंत्रित करने और छात्रों व अभिभावकों के हितों की रक्षा करने के लिए एक महत्वपूर्ण कदम उठाया गया है।
निजी विद्यालयों को फीस की पूरी जानकारी सार्वजनिक करना अनिवार्य,…
— Samrat Choudhary (@samrat4bjp) May 12, 2026
Concerns Over Commercialisation Of Education
The move comes amid growing public criticism of private school practices in Bihar.
Due to persistent concerns regarding the quality of teaching and learning in government schools, reliance on private educational institutions has increased significantly across the state.
However, many parents have accused some schools of operating as commercial enterprises rather than educational institutions.
Complaints commonly raised by parents include:
- annual “re-admission” fees
- miscellaneous and annual charges
- arbitrary fee revisions without prior notice
- compulsory purchase of books and uniforms from selected shops
In several cases, schools have reportedly established their own supply arrangements or directed parents towards specific vendors, limiting consumer choice.
Parents have also complained that schools frequently mandate new editions of books every academic year despite only minor changes in content.
District-Level Action Already Underway
Reports regarding such practices have surfaced across multiple districts during the current academic session.
Officials said district administrations in several parts of Bihar had already initiated action following complaints from parents.
Against this backdrop, the state government has decided to introduce a broader regulatory framework aimed at strengthening oversight of private schools and protecting the interests of students and guardians.
