A Jaipur man’s frustration over the rising cost of education has struck a chord with thousands of parents across the country. Rishabh Jain, an IIT Bombay alumnus and entrepreneur, took to social media to highlight how private schools are becoming increasingly unaffordable for middle-class families. His post, shared on X, has garnered over 1.5 million views and ignited a heated discussion about the growing financial burden of quality education.
₹4 Lakh Annual Fee for Grade 1?
Jain shared his experience of searching for a school for his daughter, only to be shocked by the high fees charged by reputed institutions in Jaipur. He revealed that one of the schools he considered required parents to pay ₹4.27 lakh annually for Grade 1. According to Jain, similar fee structures are prevalent among other top schools in the city.
In his post, he argued that even families earning ₹20 lakh per annum struggle to meet these expenses due to high taxes and essential living costs. “At ₹20L income, you fall into the highest 30%+ CESS tax bracket. After taxes, food, clothing, rent or EMIs, and savings, paying such school fees becomes unfeasible,” he wrote.
Social Media Reactions
The post sparked mixed reactions on social media. Many parents agreed with Jain, calling the rising cost of private education “unrealistic” and “outrageous.” One user remarked, “It feels like education is becoming a luxury, not a necessity.”
However, others accused Jain of exaggeration. “You’ve likely picked the costliest school in the city to make your point,” commented one user. Jain responded, “It may seem exaggerated, but it’s not. Settle in a big city and try it for yourself.”
Another commenter suggested, “Think of the money spent on private education as part of taxes. In many high-tax countries, public education covers quality schooling.”
A Growing Concern
The debate highlights the broader issue of affordability in private education across India, where middle-class families often find themselves priced out of reputed schools. Jain’s post has brought attention to the financial strain on parents, sparking calls for reforms in the education sector to make quality learning accessible to all.