Rising school fees have put parents in a real bind

The rising cost of education is now adding to the financial burden on parents, with some private schools reportedly increasing fees by 20-35% for the 2025-26 academic year. While schools officially reopen in May this year, the admission process for the 2025-26 school year is underway and revised fees are said to be already being charged.

Existing students face a notable increase, while new admissions carry even higher fees. So far, there has been no official response from the government, leaving parents anxious and unsure about the future of their children’s education.

Sources said rate increases, typically in the range of 5 to 15%, have increased significantly this year. State schools, facing declining enrolments, have also raised fees to remain financially viable. “It is standard practice for unaided private schools to increase fees by 8-15% annually due to rising operational costs, as per set guidelines. However, some schools are increasing fees by 30-40%, which is unacceptable,” said Shashi Kumar D, General Secretary, Associated Directorates of Primary and Secondary schools in Karnataka (KAMS) and Convener of Karnataka Private School Management Teaching and Non-Teaching Staff Coordination Committee (KPMTCC).

Why are school enrollments increasing?
Schools with core curricula have implemented the steepest increases, with increases of up to 35%. Adding to parents’ woes, many schools have discontinued installment payment options, forcing families to endure financial pressure up front. CBSE and ICSE schools have cited higher management expenses, higher salaries of teachers and inflation as reasons for the sharp increase.

Kumar further added, “Over the last five years, departments like Public Works Department (PWD), Fire and Safety, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) and Revenue have required schools to obtain annual permits for fee increases. I think the government should take the blame too. The current situation, where supply exceeds demand and there are many unauthorized schools, is leading to lower enrollment and higher per capita costs, which is why the fee increase is increasing from 10% to 15%.”

Mixed reactions
However, parents are increasingly vocal about the impact on their budgets. “A moderate increase is acceptable, but this level of increase leaves us no options.

Changing schools is not feasible due to additional costs of admission fees and other expenses,” said Sri Harsha, a concerned parent.