Bengaluru Parents Fume As Private School Fees Soar By 30%

Bengaluru parents are voicing their frustration over the annual fee hikes imposed by private schools, which have significantly increased the financial burden on families over the years. While private institutions in the city routinely raise fees by 10-15% every year, some have now escalated the hike to as much as 30%, sparking outrage among parents.

With many schools already collecting first-term fees for the upcoming academic year, parents are feeling the pinch. While some institutions have stuck to a 10-15% revision, others have surpassed the psychological 15% threshold. One parent shared that her son's school fees have surged from ₹1.2 lakh to ₹2.1 lakh in just five years, excluding transportation costs. "Before COVID-19, the hike was around 10%, but post-pandemic, it has shot up to between 15% and 30%. Schools justify the increase, claiming they couldn't raise fees during the pandemic years," she said.

Schools Justify the Increase

The Association of Primary and Secondary Schools of Karnataka has defended the hikes, citing the rising costs of teacher salaries and operational expenses. Association secretary D Shashi Kumar stated, "Schools are not just about blackboards, chalk, and desks. The government has increased textbook prices, fabric costs for uniforms have risen-why don't you question these hikes? A 10-15% annual increase is necessary to sustain schools, though a 20-30% hike is unacceptable." He urged parents to lodge complaints if any institution raises fees beyond 30-40%.

Government's Stand on the Issue

Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa acknowledged the concerns but admitted that the government has limited power to regulate fee hikes in private schools. He, however, assured parents that he would request schools to avoid excessive increases. Bangarappa also encouraged parents to consider government schools, highlighting that many distinguished leaders have studied in state-run institutions.

Meanwhile, Council LoP Chalavadi Narayanaswamy has blamed the government for the steep hikes, alleging that private schools are being allowed to increase fees unchecked for the benefit of vested interests.

As parents continue to protest, the debate over private school fee regulation intensifies, leaving many families uncertain about the affordability of quality education for their children.