Every parent wants the best for their child, be it education or any other aspect related to their growth. But education, a basic necessity, has become a luxury these days. And this is not for grown-up children who are going to choose a field of study, such as engineering or medicine. It has become quite expensive for the kids studying in kindergarten. Private schools in India are charging hefty sums of fees from parents in the name of 'facilities', which might not be needed even. And what if someone's dream of providing their kid with the best education in the best school remains a dream alone, all because of the fees? In a now viral post on X, Anuradha Tiwari, who is the founder of Dharma Party and a TEDx speaker, shared the fee structure for admissions in the academic year 2025-26 from classes Nursery to Fifth.
The post read, "Class- Nursery. Fees- Rs 2,51,000. Now, learning ABCD will cost you Rs. 21,000 per month. What are these schools even teaching to justify such a ridiculously high fee?"
Apart from the tuition fee, admission fee, and caution deposit (which is refundable), the school is charging an initiation fee. It is a one-time charge paid to gain membership in the educational institution, much like an entry fee. Basically, it is meant to cover all the costs associated with the admission of the student, including the processing of the application, setting up his record, and providing him with resources or access to facilities upon joining the school. So, this one-time payment is just 'an initiation to join', which is separate from the tuition fee and other recurring costs.
For this school, it is Rs 11,250. Now, the question is, if there is an already existing admission fee, then why are they charging a separate initiation fee? Why is there a payment to enter, and another payment for membership?
There is a long debate on this in the comment section below, with internet users comparing private schools and government schools, some calling private schools a 'business', and some calling their education and facilities only for 'status'.
One user said, "Private school is a business. Government schools can provide the same education with all those qualified teachers recruited without any fees."
Another wrote, "At that price, they are not just teaching ABCD; they are selling aspiration, exclusivity, and a perceived head start in the rat race."
While another user wrote about the many livelihoods associated with the fees of kids. He said, "How will they pay or manage salaries to the teacher, admin staff, electricity, management expenses, infrastructure, maintenance, and admin expenses. Do your math, and then we can comment. LKG teachers to 12th-grade teachers should be treated at par right."
Someone added, "The loot is going on, right in the name of education." While another one predicted, "Home education is the future."
Well, this kind of debate can continue. What matters is whether the kids are getting a good primary education or not. And with the education, are the facilities provided as promised? Moreover, is it all worth the cost...