FINANCIAL ACCESS IS KEY TO AFFORDABLE EDUCATION

Recently, several state governments, including Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, have taken steps to regulate private school fee hikes, with the aim of making education more affordable and promoting equitable access for all students.

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Fee hikes are usually symptomatic of deeper issues, notably poorquality education and inadequate funding. What is needed is a more effective and sustainable solution that enables a healthy flow of capital into the sector so that schools are well-funded and offer good quality education.

Education is deeply aspirational. Every parent, regardless of income, seeks the best possible future for their child. In pursuit of quality, many low-income families often opt for costlier private schools over free government options, driven by a belief that better education unlocks better opportunities. This clear preference underscores the value placed on quality education, even though it may strain household budgets.

However, fee regulation in isolation risks undermining the very institutions these families rely on, potentially compromising quality and access. A more balanced approach is needed - one that protects affordability without sacrificing quality that these families aspire to.

It has been seen that even low-income families routinely choose more expensive schools over free alternatives, revealing a clear desire for quality education. Attempts to cap fees in isolation then risk penalizing the very schools that families trust with their children's future.

Access to Finance