Parents will no longer have the right to challenge fee hikes in school, until 25 per cent of them from the same institution come together for it *Schools can now charge parents for late fees with additional interest *In unforeseen circumstances, schools will have a right to hike fees, provided the management has the support of 76 per cent of parents.

In a major blow to parents' fight against exorbitant fee hikes in schools, the state government on Monday passed the new amendment to the Maharashtra Educational Institution Fee Regulation Act (2011), which includes some of the above points. Angry parents feel that the regulation will only empower school managements.