Executive Power

In a landmark decision, the US Supreme Court has effectively redefined the limits of judicial intervention in executive policymaking.

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In today's India, education is no longer just a pathway to opportunity – it is an increasingly unaffordable commodity. Across cities, a groundswell of parental discontent has emerged, driven by steep and seemingly arbitrary hikes in private school fees. What was once an aspirational choice for families – particularly those from modest means seeking better futures for their children – has become an unsustainable financial burden. The social contract between private educational institutions and the public they serve appears dangerously frayed. For many households, school fees now rival or exceed monthly rent, forcing difficult choices between education and basic living needs. At the heart of the unrest is a fundamental question: who is education meant to serve, and at what cost? For many parents, the answer grows murkier each year. Fee increases upwards of 30 per cent have been reported, often with minimal advance notice or adequate justification. In numerous cases, schools have reportedly denied entry to students whose families could not keep pace with these hikes. These actions – whether framed as administrative policy or financial necessity – represent more than just institutional overreach. They strike at a child's right to continuity, safety, and dignity in education. The situation is especially grave in cities where private schools operate on government-leased land. These institutions are bound by regulatory conditions, including limits on fee increases and the inclusion of disadvantaged students. Yet the lack of enforcement and the slow pace of redress through legal channels have left parents with little recourse. The power imbalance is stark: institutions can act with impunity, while families must navigate opaque systems, bureaucratic delays, and the constant fear of academic disruption. Schools argue that they are under financial pressure too – ci