A recent survey by LocalCircles has revealed that seven out of ten parents with children enrolled in private schools reported a fee increase of 30% or more over the past three years. Many of these parents noted hikes ranging between 50% and 80%. The survey, which covered over 47,000 respondents across 271 districts, highlights a growing disparity between fee regulation policies and their actual implementation.
Survey Findings on Fee Hikes
According to the survey, 70% of parents stated that private schools raised fees by at least 30% between 2023 and 2026. Among these, 33% experienced sharper increases, from 50% to over 80%. The respondents came from tier 1 to tier 4 locations, indicating that the issue is widespread across urban and semi-urban areas.
Sachin Taparia of LocalCircles emphasized that the findings point to a significant gap between fee regulation on paper and its enforcement on the ground. The survey comes amid protests in several cities, including Hyderabad, Delhi, Noida, and Dhanbad, where parents have voiced concerns over rising school fees, alleged arbitrary charges, and non-compliance with fee regulation norms.
Impact on Middle-Class and Weaker Families
Parents reported that the escalation in school fees has made private education increasingly unaffordable for middle-class and financially weaker families. The survey found that nine out of ten parents believed state governments or district administrations were ineffective in capping or limiting fee increases. Specifically, 51% of respondents said authorities did not even address the issue, while 41% noted that officials acknowledged the problem but failed to take meaningful action.
Allegations of Non-Compliance and Arbitrary Charges
Parents also flagged instances of alleged non-compliance with court directives and fee regulation frameworks. These include arbitrary charges, unapproved revisions, and a lack of financial transparency. In some cases, schools were accused of raising fees without prior approval or continuing hikes despite adverse court orders. Parents further highlighted pressure tactics such as denial of access to classes and threats of expulsion for non-payment.
Need for Local Enforcement
The survey concluded that court interventions would have limited impact unless state governments act at the local level to enforce transparency and fee regulation. Without proactive measures, the burden on families is likely to increase, further widening educational inequality.
