Synopsis
Assam Christian Forums voice alarm over a new government bill. The legislation seeks to regulate fee structures in all private schools, including those run by minorities. Christian institutions fear this will undermine their autonomy and ability to operate according to their values. They highlight their historical contributions to education in Assam and urge the government to reconsider.
Agencies Representative Image Guwahati: The Assam Christian Forums (ACF) has expressed concern over a government move to regulate the free structure in private schools in the northeastern Indian state.
The Assam government tabled a legislation the Assam Private Educational Institutions (Regulation of Fees) Amendment Bill, 2025 to regulate the fee structure of private schools.
The legislation tabled on Wednesday aimed at strengthening the regulation of fees charged by private educational institutions and ensuring that all non-government educational institutions, including those established and managed by minorities under Article 30(1) of the Constitution of India, are subject to transparent registration, fee fixation, and periodic renewal as mandated by law.
According to the state government these measures aim to promote equity and affordability in education, ensuring that all private institutions operate within a fair and regulated framework, protecting the interests of students and parents.
ACF representing Christian communities expressed profound alarm at the Assam Cabinet’s approval of the Assam Private Educational Institutions (Regulation of Fees) Amendment Bill, 2025. This proposed law would strip away long-standing protections for minority-run schools, by allowing unchecked government control over their fee structures.
ACF in a statement stated the Bill ends the previous hands-off approach for minority schools and hands the state sweeping powers to fix fees, monitor collections, and intervene at will. For Christian missionary institutions – which have been pillars of education in Assam for over a century – this feels like a direct attack on their freedom to run schools in line with their values and needs.
“We are pained and feel intimidated,” said Archbishop John Moolachira, Chairman of ACF. “These schools are not businesses; they are Nation builders, our community’s heartbeat, preservi
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