New Delhi, March 23 Congress MP Rajani Ashokrao Patil raised concerns on Monday about exorbitant school fees, which are causing a financial burden on parents, and urged the government to implement strict regulations on fee increases.
During the Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha, the Congress MP said that the uncontrolled and ever-increasing fee structure in private schools across the country is putting unbearable pressure on middle-class and lower-middle-class families.
"Education is not a luxury. It is a fundamental right. Yet, for many parents, educating their children in so-called good schools has become a financial burden, bordering on distress," she said.
She highlighted that private schools arbitrarily increase fees every year, often without transparency or justification.
In addition to tuition fees, parents are also compelled to pay various additional charges, such as development charges, activity charges, smart class charges, and are even forced to purchase books and uniforms from selected vendors at a high price.
"This reflects the growing commercialization of education, which goes against the very spirit of our own constitution," Patil said.
She further said that the landmark Right to Education (RTE) Act ensures that 25 per cent of seats in private schools are reserved for children from economically weaker sections, providing them with free and compulsory education.
"However, today, we are witnessing a situation where, on one hand, the spirit of inclusivity is weakening, and on the other hand, the remaining 75 per cent of parents are being subjected to unchecked financial burden," she said.
The Congress MP said that while some states have enacted fee regulations, the implementation remains weak and inconsistent.
She stressed the urgent need for a strong, transparent, and uniform regulatory framework on school fees.
Patil urged the government to implement strict regulations on fee increases, mandate full transparency in school finances, curb hidden and compulsory charges, and protect the rights and interests of parents and students.
"If you fail to act now, quality education will become the privilege of a few rather than the right of every child. Education must empower, it should not impoverish families," she added.
In his Zero Hour mention, Akhilesh Prasad Singh (Congress) said that Bihar lags significantly in industrialization compared to the national average.
He said that despite accounting for 9 per cent of the country's population, Bihar only contributes about 3 per cent to India's GDP.
He also said that due to a lack of employment opportunities, about 20 lakh people go to other states in search of jobs annually.
The Congress demanded the setting up of 5-6 integrated industrial townships in Bihar under the Amritsar-Delhi-Kolkata Industrial Corridor.
This, he said, will lead to industrialization in the state and balanced growth in eastern India.
