₹4.27 Lakh for Class 1! Entrepreneur Claims Even ₹20L Income Isn’t Enough for Quality Education
₹4.27 Lakh for Class 1! Entrepreneur Claims Even ₹20L Income Isn’t Enough for Quality Education
A LinkedIn post by Rishabh Jain, co-founder of LLA, has gone viral for exposing the steep cost of school education in India. In November, Jain shared that he was asked to pay Rs 4.27 lakh for his daughter’s admission into Grade 1, sparking widespread debate.
He wrote, “Good education is a luxury the middle class cannot afford.” The detailed breakdown he shared included Rs 2,000 as registration fees, Rs 40,000 as admission charges, and Rs 5,000 as refundable caution money. The annual tuition fee was Rs 2.52 lakh, transport charges were Rs 1.08 lakh, and books and uniforms cost Rs 20,000.
Good education is a luxury – which middle class can not afford
— RJ – Rishabh Jain (@rishsamjain) November 17, 2024
My daughter will start Grade 1 next year, and this is the fee structure of one of the schools we are considering in our city. Note that other good schools also have similar fees.
– Registration Charges: ₹2,000
-… pic.twitter.com/TvLql7mhOZ
Despite a household income of Rs 20 lakh a year, Jain said it was still difficult to afford such fees. “This is the price of quality education in India. Can you afford it even if you earn Rs 20L a year? NO!!!” he wrote.
Also Read: Mumbai Customs Foils Major Smuggling Attempts at CSMI Airport
Jain also criticized the high tax burden on the middle class, claiming nearly 50% of income is lost through GST, income tax, fuel VAT, road and toll taxes, professional tax, capital gains tax, and more. He highlighted that the middle class receives no subsidies or government benefits, unlike others.
“With Rs 10L left, either manage your home or pay fees for two kids decide!” he wrote, questioning the cost of raising a family.
Meanwhile, in response to growing complaints, the Delhi government has launched an audit of all private school fee structures. Education Minister Ashish Sood said data on fee hikes will be made public within 10 days, promising to fight the commercialization of education.
