Viral CA Post Reveals Shocking ₹22 Lakh Cost of Schooling Till Class 12 — Middle-Class Parents Deeply Worried
A Chartered Accountant’s social media post has gone viral, revealing that private school education in India now costs nearly ₹22 lakh from Class 1 to Class 12. The post has triggered widespread concern among middle-class families, who feel increasingly burdened by skyrocketing school fees. Many are calling for stronger government regulations on private institutions and significant improvements in public-school education to ease the financial strain.
Education Costs in India Hit New Highs
For decades, education has been the highest priority for middle-class families in India. But the numbers coming out in 2025 have shocked parents nationwide. A LinkedIn post by Chartered Accountant and teacher Meenal Goyal has sparked a new debate about the rising cost of schooling.
According to Goyal’s calculations, educating a child in a “decent” private school from Class 1 to 12 now costs ₹20–22 lakh.
Breakdown of the Cost (as per 2025 estimates)
Meenal Goyal shared a detailed spending breakdown:
- Primary School (Class 1–5): ₹5.75 lakh
- Middle School (Class 6–8): ₹5.9 lakh
- High School (Class 9–12): ₹9.2 lakh
- Total: ₹20–22 lakh
She added:
“Books, uniforms, tuition fees, transport, gadgets, and coaching together shoot up the total cost. In premium private schools, this amount can easily double. The real cost of schooling in India in 2025 is frightening. Many parents are now reluctant to send their children to school simply because they cannot afford it.”
Skyrocketing Fees & Lack of Regulation
A 2024 National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) report supports Goyal’s claims. Over the last decade, private school fees in urban areas have risen by a staggering 169% — far outpacing salary increases and inflation.
Cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad have seen the steepest hikes.
A 2025 LocalCircles education survey showed:
- 81% of parents faced a fee hike of 10% or more
- 22% reported increases above 30%
Even in places like Delhi, where fee regulations exist, many schools bypass rules by adding “other charges,” which heavily inflate bills.
Families Falling Into Debt for Education
Indian families are now paying school fees comparable to developed countries — but without comparable infrastructure or quality assurance. Goyal mentioned a heart-wrenching case of a couple who reluctantly decided not to send their child to school, not due to lack of interest, but simply because they could not afford the fees.
The middle class is increasingly taking loans or cutting down on essential expenses to ensure their children receive basic education.
