‘Are We Preparing Parents for Bankruptcy?’: ₹4 Lakh LKG Fees Spark Outrage Online

The rising cost of private school education in India has become a major concern for parents, with fee hikes as high as 30% reported in several cities. Financial advisor Neha Nagar voiced her frustration in a widely shared LinkedIn post, stating, “I won’t send my child to an expensive private school. At this rate, are we preparing kids for school… or preparing parents for bankruptcy?”

Her post has resonated with thousands of parents across the country who are grappling with the growing financial burden of education. Recently in Delhi, several protests have been held by parents in recent weeks against schools on the fee hike issue.  In cities such as Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai, parents are reporting sharp hikes in school fees, often demanded upfront, adding to household stress amid rising inflation.

Fee Hikes Across Major Cities

The trend is nationwide. In Hyderabad, some schools have increased their fees by up to 30% this year. Similar complaints have emerged from Bengaluru, where parents are actively protesting against proposed hikes for the 2025–26 academic year. Delhi and Mumbai are also witnessing growing dissatisfaction among parents as education costs soar.

Education Inflation Outpaces General Inflation

Currently, education inflation is estimated at 11–12%—significantly higher than the country’s general inflation rate. A survey conducted by LocalCircles revealed that 44% of parents experienced fee hikes between 50% and 80% in the past three years, with 8% reporting even higher increases.

Private school fees now range between ₹60,000 and ₹2 lakh per year on average, making quality education increasingly inaccessible to middle-class families.

Beyond Tuition: Hidden Costs Add to the Burden

Tuition fees are only part of the overall cost. Parents also pay substantial amounts for uniforms, books, electronic devices, transportation, and extracurricular activities. In some cases, annual bus fees touch ₹25,000, and book expenses exceed ₹7,000.

Elite schools, particularly in urban centers like Gurgaon, charge as much as ₹3.46 lakh per year for senior classes, along with a one-time admission fee of ₹2 lakh. Even mid-tier schools, such as 21K School, charge over ₹60,000 annually for primary grades, excluding books and assessments.

Declining Enrolment Numbers

The financial strain is reflected in school enrolment statistics. Between 2018–19 and 2023–24, India saw a drop of over 1 crore students in school enrolments. Many families are either delaying admissions or shifting to more affordable alternatives.

A person identified as Pradeep M commented on the post, ‘₹4 lakh for LKG? For that price, my kid better come home bilingual, know how to file taxes, and give TED Talks on weekends. Private schools out here acting like they’re IPO-ready. Right Neha Nagar?”

Another person, Murali K R commented, “Neha Nagar Wonderful thought… Healthcare and education are businesses now.. Until govt builds affordable schools, colleges and hospitals with quality, we keep paying hefty amount.”

Neha Nagar summed up the sentiment of many when she said, “Private schools today look more like startups than institutions.” The growing concern signals a need for regulatory checks and a re-evaluation of how private education is structured in the country.