The Delhi High Court has stayed an order allowing private schools to charge annual fees, providing relief to parents who had challenged the decision. Background: The issue began when private schools in Delhi started charging annual fees despite a circular from the Directorate of Education (DoE) stating that no fee except tuition fee would be charged until further orders. Parties: The petitioners, a group of parents, argued that the schools were taking advantage of the situation and charging exorbitant fees. The respondents, the private schools, claimed that they were entitled to charge annual fees as per their agreements with the parents. Legal issues: The court considered whether the private schools had the right to charge annual fees despite the DoE's circular. Court observations: The court observed that the private schools' decision to charge annual fees was 'prima facie arbitrary' and that the DoE's circular was binding on the schools. Significance: The stay order is significant as it provides relief to parents who were struggling to pay the annual fees. The case highlights the need for regulatory bodies to ensure that private schools do not take advantage of parents during the pandemic.