The fees that private schools charge are going up every year. Because there is no system to control these fees and the government is not watching closely private schools are raising fees as they want. Many parents say that some schools are taking advantage of them because they want to give their children education. These schools are collecting a lot of money from parents through tuition fees, donations and book purchases that parents have to make.
Education Is Becoming Too Costly for Children
Ramesh is an employee from Vijayawada. He earns ₹45,000 every month. Two years ago he put one of his children in a CBSE school. Paid over ₹50,000 for all the fees. This year he had to spend than ₹60,000 to get his second child into school.
Ramesh is not the one who is facing this problem. Many middle-class families in the state are struggling to pay for their childrens education. They want to give their children education but it is becoming too expensive. Many families have to take loans use their savings or cut back on expenses to pay for education.
Schools Are Raising Fees Without Any Good Reason
Parents say that because there is no system to control fees private schools are raising fees as they want. Tuition fees, admission fees, activity fees and transportation costs are all going up every year. This is putting a financial burden on families.
Many parents say that they do not understand how schools decide on their fees. They think that schools should be more open about their fees and explain why they are raising them.
Schools Are Collecting Much Money in the Name of Donations
Some private schools are being accused of collecting a lot of money from parents in the name of donations. Parents say that schools that are in demand are charging a lot of money when children are admitted.
For example a school in Vijayawada is reportedly collecting ₹60,000 as a donation. Some good schools in Visakhapatnam are allegedly charging than ₹50,000 in the name of donations. This is a problem for families that are already struggling to pay for education.
Parents Are Being Forced to Buy Books and Study Materials from Schools
Apart from school fees parents also have to buy textbooks and notebooks from the school every year. Many parents complain that they can buy these materials cheaply in the market but they are forced to buy them from the school at higher prices.
Parents say that they have no choice but to pay the prices that schools decide. This is adding to their burden.
Parents Are Asking Important Questions
Parents are asking why the government is not doing anything to control school fees. They want to know:
- Why is there no system to monitor fee increases?
- Why is the government not stopping schools from collecting donations?
- Why are schools allowed to force parents to buy books and materials from vendors?
- Why is the government not helping middle-class families that are struggling to pay for education?
These are questions that parents are asking all over the state as education costs continue to rise.
Is Education a Right or a Luxury?
With fees going up all the time many parents think that good education is becoming too expensive. Fee increases, donations and extra charges for books and materials are making it hard for middle-class families to afford education.
Many people want the government to introduce a system to control fees stop illegal donation collections and monitor schools to protect parents interests. If this does not happen the cost of education will continue to be a burden, for families that want to give their children a better future.
