S1.C64. TELL ME WHY - School Fees in India
BY SVTA - Parents across India are protesting steep private school fee hikes, accusing institutions of unfair practices and calling for transparency, regulation, and protection of students' rights
In recent months, protests have erupted across major Indian cities, including Delhi, Pune, and Hyderabad, as parents push back against what they describe as "unsustainable" and arbitrary fee hikes imposed by private schools. These fee increases, in some cases as high as 30–45%, are straining household budgets and disrupting students' education. At the heart of the controversy lies a deep tension between rising educational costs and the lack of effective regulatory mechanisms to ensure transparency and fairness.
One particularly troubling case involves Aaditya Mattey, a 14-year-old student at Delhi Public School (DPS) Dwarka. Aaditya was barred from taking his English exam and sent home by security staff after his father, Divya Mattey, refused to pay a recent fee hike. Mr. Mattey claims the hike was arbitrary and unauthorized. Aaditya's name was subsequently removed from the school’s rolls, despite his academic performance and prior enrollment. Similar incidents have emerged at other schools, where parents allege that children have been locked out of classrooms or confined in school libraries over unpaid dues.
Parents are not just protesting fee hikes—they’re fighting what they see as punitive measures that penalize students for financial decisions made by their families. The situation has sparked legal battles and widespread outrage. Mr. Mattey and other parents have taken the issue to court, arguing that schools are violating students' rights and disregarding due process. Meanwhile, DPS Dwarka maintains it has no legal obligation to retain students who haven’t paid fees and cites financial losses of 490 million rupees as justification for the hikes.
The situation underscores broader systemic problems. India lacks a centralized regulatory authority for private school fees, leaving state governments to set their own rules—often inconsistently enforced. In Delhi, private schools on government-leased land are supposed to obtain approval from the Directorate of Education (DoE) before increasing fees. They are also required to reserve 25% of seats for economically disadvantaged students. But enforcement is weak, and many schools sidestep these rules or provide minimal justification for fee hikes.
Parents like Gagandeep Singh, whose son’s school raised fees by 45% in one year, argue that regulation should be the government’s responsibility—not the burden of individual families. Even families with dual incomes are struggling, as wage growth has not kept pace with rising costs in education. The fear of retaliation—such as expulsion or public humiliation—leaves many parents feeling trapped, unable to challenge schools without risking their child’s education.
In response to the public outcry, the Delhi government recently approved the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Ordinance, 2025. Although details are not yet public, officials say the law will aim to improve accountability and fee regulation in private schools. Parents are calling for real-time audits of school finances and a voice in the drafting of new policies.
As the debate continues, students like Aaditya remain in limbo. His name has not yet been restored to the school register, and he has received no assignments for the current term. “He’s only 14,” says Mr. Mattey. “He should be focused on learning—not whether he’ll be allowed in class tomorrow.”
Here are 3 questions for you :
“How can we ensure financial sustainability without compromising student welfare or violating fee regulations?”
Schools could have phased fee increases, provided clear audits, and created hardship support systems instead of abrupt and punitive enforcement.
“Have we built enough trust and communication channels with parents before implementing major changes?”
A transparent fee review process with parental consultation would have prevented backlash and built shared ownership over financial decisions.
“How do we maintain ethical and legal compliance while addressing financial pressure?”
Operational audits, legal alignment with education department mandates, and humane enforcement protocols could have protected both reputation and student rights.
Provide the question# on your comment when you answer.
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It’s really sad, because education should be accessible for everyone. Students should be able to just focus on learning, not stress about money. Same thing’s happening in Indonesia—private school fees are crazy expensive and don’t match what most people earn.
Honestly, I think part of the problem is the government. Public schools still don’t offer the same quality as private ones, so a lot of parents feel like they have no choice but to send their kids to private schools. And seeing that, many private schools take it as a chance to raise their fees even more.
But yeah, it’s complicated. On the other hand, private schools don’t get funding from the government, so they rely fully on tuition. And to be fair, the high fees usually come with good teachers, better facilities, and a more comfortable learning environment.
So what’s the root problem here? And what is the first step to fix this complex problems?