Why are private schools so expensive in India?

In Delhi, many parents are upset because private schools are charging too much money. Some schools have increased their fees by 50% to 80% in just three years! That’s a lot. Almost half of the schools in Delhi are private, and all over India, about one-third of students go to private schools.

Why do so many parents choose private schools? Because government schools often don’t have good buildings, teachers, or resources. Also, many parents want their children to study in English, which most private schools offer.

But here’s the problem: just because a school is expensive doesn’t mean it’s good. Most private schools charge a lot but don’t teach very well. They care more about making money than helping kids learn. Instead of focusing on teaching, they advertise their buildings, sports facilities, or extra activities—and charge extra money for all of it.

Many parents feel stuck. They want the best for their children, but they have to pay a lot for schools that don’t always give the best education. They can’t really choose or argue about the prices, because most private schools work like a business and don’t have rules to control what they charge.

The government is supposed to make sure schools don’t overcharge or trick parents—but often, they don’t do much. Even when some reports showed hundreds of schools taking too much money, nothing serious happened. One big issue is that, by law, private schools in India are supposed to be “non-profit.” But many schools get around this by creating fake charities or trusts. Then, they still make money—but in a sneaky way.

Maybe it’s time to let schools earn a fair profit, but with strong rules to stop them from overcharging or giving poor education.