Bengaluru: Amid rising prices of essential commodities like milk, cooking gas, petrol, and diesel, parents are now facing another major financial burden — a steep hike in private school fees. Across Karnataka, many private schools have reportedly increased annual fees by 8% to 15%, with some going as high as 30%.

Citing reasons like rising operational costs, increased salaries for teaching and non-teaching staff, and inflation, schools continue to raise fees year after year. A recent survey by social platform ‘LocalCircles’ revealed that in several Indian states, including Karnataka, fees in some private schools have gone up by 50% to 80% over the past three years — with many schools nearly doubling their fees in just four years.

No control mechanism in place, say officials

Parents are demanding government intervention to control the steep rise, but officials from the Department of School Education and Literacy say they lack the authority to regulate fees in private unaided schools.

Along with tuition fee hikes, charges for school transport, textbooks, and uniforms have also increased, further adding to the burden. Although rules require schools to publicly display their fee structure on notice boards, many private institutions reportedly fail to do so.

Private school bodies respond

D. Shashikumar, General Secretary of KAMS (a private school association), said that while member schools are permitted to raise fees by 8% to 15% within legal limits, some schools exceed this cap. “We do not support exorbitant fee hikes. If any school is charging beyond the permissible limit, parents should file complaints with the Education Department,” he added.

Prabhakar Aras, President of another private school federation, pointed out that schools are allowed to collect only tuition fees, term fees, and special development funds. “CBSE and ICSE schools tend to collect more fees than State Board institutions. Any irrational hike should be reported to the District Education Fee Regulatory Authority (DERA),” he said.

Department promises action if rules are violated

Dr. K.V. Trilokchandra, Commissioner, Department of School Education and Literacy, said, “The government has the authority to act against irrational fee hikes. If any school collects excessive or unjustified fees, parents must report it. We will take necessary action as per rules.”

Translated version of Kannada article by Rakesh N S