Parents across multiple states are voicing concerns about the escalating preschool fees, lack of transparency, and the absence of adequate accountability in the education sector.
Telangana
In Telangana, parents like Niharika, who pays ₹22,000 monthly for her child’s preschool education, are frustrated with the high fees and the lack of service quality. Despite paying a premium, she notes that the caregiver-to-child ratio often does not meet the promised standards. The general sentiment is that education has become a commercial necessity for working parents rather than a nurturing environment for children. Some schools even refuse to disclose fee structures, citing company policies.
Kerala
Parents in Kerala face similar issues, with families in Thiruvananthapuram like Meena’s struggling with ₹43,000 annual fees that include unexplained charges for events. Others, like Bindu, report significant financial strain with additional costs for uniforms, stationery, and extracurricular activities. Neetha Xavier’s experience at Christ Nagar School highlights recurring issues with transparency in fee impositions.
Tamil Nadu
In Tamil Nadu, parents like Kannadasan, paying ₹50,000 for preschool, find it a heavy financial burden despite the school’s well-organized events. Many schools in the state, such as Kids Central, charge upwards of ₹1.5 lakh annually for preschool, further pushing families to seek alternatives like homeschooling.
Karnataka
In Bengaluru, preschool fees are among the highest in the country, ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹1.5 lakh annually. The issue is exacerbated by unregulated nursery schools that operate without oversight, despite Supreme Court guidelines against exorbitant fees. D. Shashi Kumar from KAMS points out the lack of accountability and calls for stricter implementation of regulations to curb these unreasonably high charges. Additionally, the forced sale of uniforms and books at inflated prices adds to the financial burden. Parents are increasingly concerned that high fees do not guarantee quality education.
Government Intervention Needed
Parents across these states, united in their frustrations, are calling for government intervention to standardize fees and ensure greater transparency. Telangana has proposed the creation of a Fee Regulatory Committee, but it remains unclear whether preschool fees will be included. Many parents, like Niharika, believe that education should not come at the cost of their livelihood and are advocating for more affordable, transparent educational options.
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