Parents await action on complaints filed against private schools in Dehradun to pay fees

Dehradun: Parents of students across several private schools in Dehradun are hesitating to pay fees and buy books as they await action on complaints submitted through the newly launched education helpline. The education department had launched the helpline on April 2 to address grievances related to private schools. By April 9, 154 complaints had been registered mostly from Dehradun, followed by Udham Singh Nagar, Haridwar, and Nainital.
TOI accessed the helpline data, which shows that most complaints relate to fee hikes, unjustified payment demands, and pressure on parents to purchase books from specific sellers.
A mother of a student who goes to a private school in Dehradun said, "Several of the parents are hesitating with the fee payments as, according to news reports, the school was asked to cap the fee hike at 6%, but the actual hike is significantly more. I filed a complaint regarding this three days ago and I was hoping for some follow-up or action after which we would pay the revised amount. But since nothing has happened, we have no option but to pay so as not to default."
Other parents of students from the same school added that although the annual fees are due by Feb 2026, the school portal has already added the amount to the current quarterly payment. Officials confirmed that most complaints from Dehradun are linked to this school.
A father whose son attends a well-known private school in the state capital filed a complaint about the school pushing specific books available only at the school's bookshop or at designated sellers despite recent administrative action against them. Four such bookshops in the city remain sealed for alleged violations. The sellers have approached the Uttarakhand high court and a hearing has been scheduled for April 16.
Randhir Arora, president of the Doon Valley Booksellers Association, meanwhile, said authorities should take action against schools and not booksellers who "have been made a soft target". He added, "The same NCERT book costs less in Delhi and more in Uttarakhand. To address such discrepancies and many valid concerns of the parents, the state govt needs to regulate the system here. Books are not being sold for more than the MRP in markets outside."
Dr Mukul Kumar Sati, director of secondary education assured that all complaints are being shared with respective districts and the chief education officers concerned. "Following inspections and a detailed probe, action will be taken against violators," he added. However, a senior official said that without a regulatory act, schools will continue to exploit parents and students. "The process to act against each complaint is a very slow one. But if we are able to take action even against a few schools, that will help regulate many others," the officer said.