Parents Protest Steep Hike in School Fees in Bengaluru

Bengaluru, February 25, 2025 – Parents across Bengaluru are up in arms over the recent steep hike in school fees imposed by private schools for the upcoming academic year. The fee increase, ranging from 10% to 30%, has left many families struggling to cope with the financial burden.

The Protest

Hundreds of parents gathered outside various private schools in Bengaluru, holding placards and chanting slogans against the fee hike. They expressed their frustration and demanded a rollback of the increased fees. “We are already dealing with rising costs of living, and now this exorbitant fee hike is adding to our woes,” said Shalini, a mother of two.

Reasons Behind the Hike

Private schools have defended the fee hike, citing increased operational costs, including higher salaries for teachers and rising prices of textbooks, uniforms, and transportation. “A certain hike is inevitable due to the rising costs, but we urge parents to lodge a complaint if the hike goes beyond 30%,” said D Shashi Kumar, Secretary of the Association of Primary and Secondary Schools of Karnataka.

Government’s Response

Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa acknowledged the parents’ concerns but stated that the government has limited control over private school fee structures. He urged parents to consider government schools as an alternative, highlighting the quality of education provided by these institutions.

Parents’ Demands

Parents are calling for greater transparency and regulation of school fees. “Why should schools increase fees every year by 10%-30% when inflation itself is not even 10%? The increase in tuition fees should be pegged to the rate of inflation,” said Mohammed Shakeel, President of the Voice of Parents.

Future Actions

The Karnataka School Parents Association (KASPA) has decided to file a public interest litigation in the high court, demanding regulation of school fees. “We are unhappy with the way schools are manipulating parents by hiking admission and transportation fees every year. We need transparency and regulation,” said Selvaraj, Vice-President of KASPA.

The ongoing protests and legal actions highlight the growing discontent among parents and the need for a balanced approach to school fee regulation in Bengaluru.