Private school annual fee increase should be limited to 7 %: Kavitha

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

Telangana Jagruthi president K. Kavitha has raised serious concerns over the steep increase in private school fees, accusing school managements of exploiting parents by imposing sudden hikes of 30% to 40%.

Addressing the media at the Telangana Jagruti office on Friday, she demanded that the government immediately introduce a fee regulation law and convene a special session of the Assembly to pass the legislation.

Kavitha noted that nearly 38 lakh students are enrolled in around 12,000 private schools across the state. She criticised these institutions for placing an excessive and unfair financial burden on parents.

Recalling past political positions, Kavitha pointed out that Revanth Reddy had earlier criticised the previous government for failing to regulate school fees. Now, as Chief Minister, she questioned why no such law has been implemented.

Kavitha further stated that despite over two and a half years of Congress governance, there has been no meaningful progress toward fee regulation. Criticising the state Education Commission’s report, she described it as inadequate, adding that its only worthwhile recommendation was the need for a legal framework to regulate fees in private schools and junior colleges.

Kavitha warned that if the current government continues to tolerate fee exploitation, it may face consequences similar to the previous administration. She questioned how poor and middle-class families could cope with sudden fee hikes of up to 40%, especially when incomes are not rising proportionately. She suggested that annual fee increases should be limited to 7% to 8%.

Kavitha also expressed concern over the lack of employment opportunities for local youth in corporate and non-local private schools. She alleged that these institutions are failing to provide jobs to people from Telangana.

Despite collecting substantial fees, Kavitha said many schools do not offer fair salary increments or adequate benefits to teachers and staff.