School fee hikes burden parents in major Indian cities

School fees in major Indian cities, including Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, and Kolkata, are rising sharply without proper regulations. In Delhi, fees have increased by 40% to 50% since the pandemic, with some schools charging up to 20 lakh per year. While Delhi and Tamil Nadu have some fee regulations, many schools remain unregulated. Parents report that schools are hiking fees significantly, often bypassing existing rules. The Right to Education Act requires schools to submit audit reports for fee hikes, but enforcement is lacking. Parents' associations argue that existing laws could provide relief if implemented. School managements claim they support regulation but oppose limits on maximum fees, citing concerns over education quality.