Hyderabad Private Schools Impose Sharp Fee Hikes for 2026-27 Academic Year
Private schools in Hyderabad have once again implemented significant fee increases for the upcoming 2026–27 academic year, with reports indicating hikes reaching as high as 50%. Parents across the city are expressing frustration, alleging that school managements are exploiting the state government's ongoing delay in enacting a fee regulation act. This situation is making school education increasingly unaffordable for middle- and lower-income families, who lack a proper regulatory mechanism to monitor annual adjustments.
Parental Outcry Over Unjustified Increases
Many parents have shared distressing accounts of the financial burden caused by these fee hikes. Vineetha Reddy, whose child attends a private school in Uppal, stated, "From ₹76,000 per annum, my son's fee has now crossed ₹1 lakh. The school has provided no explanation for the nearly 30% increase." Similarly, Wajahath Ahmed, with four children in a Shaikpet school, reported a 40% rise in fees. He noted, "The management claims this is not illegal since there is no fee regulation act in the state."
Association Criticizes Government Inaction
The Hyderabad School Parents' Association (HSPA), which advocates for fee regulation, has voiced disappointment over the government's perceived lack of urgency. Venkat Sainath K from HSPA remarked, "They are just wasting time by creating one committee after another. It appears the government intends to delay rather than regulate fees, despite knowing parents struggle to educate their children." He added that complaints this year include hikes exceeding 50%, with an average increase of around 30% across schools.
According to HSPA, many Hyderabad schools now charge approximately ₹1 lakh annually, while those offering enhanced facilities demand close to ₹2 lakh, further exacerbating accessibility issues.
Official Response and Calls for Action
Officials from the Telangana Education Commission (TEC) have acknowledged the severity of the problem. PL Visweshwar Rao, a TEC member, explained, "This year, the issue seems more acute. We have received numerous representations from parents reporting fee hikes between 30% and 50%. Managements are increasing fees without rationality, often without improving resources or infrastructure." The TEC has submitted a report to the government and is urging prompt action to establish a fee regulation framework to address these concerns.
The ongoing delays in implementing regulatory measures continue to leave parents vulnerable to arbitrary fee increases, highlighting a critical need for policy intervention to ensure affordable education in Hyderabad.
