“Soaring School Fees: Middle-Class Parents Struggle with High Cost of Education in India”
A Jaipur-based entrepreneur has sparked a widespread discussion on social media about the rising cost of school education in India. Sharing his personal experience, the individual revealed that top schools in the city are charging over ₹4 lakh per year for Class 1 students, leaving many middle-class families questioning the affordability of quality education.
The entrepreneur, who holds a degree from a prestigious Indian institute, expressed his frustration while looking for a school for his daughter. He shared a detailed fee structure on social media, highlighting that this issue is not isolated to one school but reflective of the broader trend among reputed educational institutions in Jaipur.
He pointed out that even families with an annual income of ₹20 lakh struggle to bear such high expenses. After accounting for income tax, basic living costs like food, clothing, rent, or EMIs, there is little left for discretionary expenses such as school fees.
The post resonated with thousands of parents online, with many agreeing that education has become an unaffordable luxury for the middle class. Others debated whether the argument was exaggerated, suggesting that the example given might represent one of the costliest schools.
One user commented, “It feels like an exaggeration. It seems you’ve picked the priciest school to make a point.” In response, the entrepreneur clarified, “It may seem exaggerated, but it’s the reality for many. Settle in a big city, and you’ll see for yourself.”
Others echoed his sentiment, pointing out that in many countries, taxes fund quality education and healthcare, reducing such burdens on individual families. The discussion has shone a spotlight on the challenges faced by middle-class parents in providing quality education for their children in India.