Mentor’s Comment

The rising cost of education in India, despite constitutional guarantees of free and compulsory schooling, reveals a widening disconnect between policy intent and lived reality. NSS 80th Round data exposes how private schooling, coaching dependence, and high household education spending are reshaping access, equity, and social mobility. 

Introduction

Article 21A mandates free and compulsory education for 6-14 years, and NEP 2020 expands this to cover children aged 3-18. Despite this constitutional promise, NSS 80th Round (April-June 2022) on “Comprehensive Education Household Survey” highlights that schooling is becoming increasingly expensive in both urban and rural India. The financial strain has begun to undermine equitable access and intensify class-based educational inequalities.

Enrolment Trends Reveal Shifting School Preferences

1. Rising Private School Dependence: NSS shows 28.5% of students in India enrolled in private unaided schools; in urban areas, the share rises to 44.3%.
2. Gender Disparity Persisting: Urban male enrolment in private schools stands at 44.2% versus 35.6% in rural areas; for girls, the gap remains substantial (41.5% urban vs 29.3% rural).
3. Low Government School Enrolment: Government school enrolment lowest in urban areas (54.1%), showing preference for private institutions due to perceived quality gaps.
4. Higher Enrolment in Private Pre-Primary: Shares rise to 37.6% (pre-primary), signalling early shift toward fee-based education.

Why Are Educational Expenditures Rising?

1. Higher Private School Fees: Private schools charge ₹7,589/year in rural areas for pre-primary vs much higher figures of ₹33,567 for urban higher secondary.
2. Urban-Rural Fee Divide: Urban fees for secondary rise sharply to ₹12,021 vs ₹6,157 in rural areas, intensifying inequity.
3. Coaching Costs Escalate: Households spend monthly on coaching across all classes; 7% rural and 6% urban took paid coaching.
4. Middle-Income Burden Evident: Private school pre-primary costs equal expenditure of top 5% of households, showing regressive impact.
5. Hidden Costs Added: Transportation, books, uniforms, and materials raise total expenditure significantly beyond tuition.

What Does the Survey Reveal About Private Coaching Dependence?

1. Widespread Coaching Culture: 7% rural and 6% urban students opt for private coaching, an indicator of weak classroom instruction.
2. Class-Wise Variation: Coaching uptake peaks in higher secondary: 44.6% urban and 30.7% rural.
3. Fee Escalations: Annual expenditure on coaching is ₹7,708 (urban) and ₹6,063 (rural), adding substantial pressure.
4. Income-Linked Access: Higher participation among better-off households reinforces achievement gaps.
5. Shift From School-Based Learning: Coaching becomes parallel schooling for competitive exams and higher education entry.

How Does Educational Spending Impact Families?

1. Monthly Financial Strain: Private schooling expenses rise from ₹1,499 (rural primary) to ₹7,297 (rural higher secondary).
2. Urban Burden Considerably Higher: Urban households pay ₹12,018 for higher secondary on average.
3. High Share of Household Budget: Poorer households spend disproportionately more on education relative to income.
4. Limited Access Due to Costs: Low-income families increasingly withdraw or avoid private schooling for affordability reasons.
5. Prestige and Social Signalling: Private schooling becomes an aspirational commodity symbolising status and mobility.

Can Strengthened Public Schools Reduce This Inequality?

1. Better Teacher Availability: Strengthening public schools reduces coaching dependence through improved teaching.
2. Affordable High-Quality Option: Offers equitable access without catastrophic household expenditure.
3. Restores Trust in Government Schools: Quality improvements narrow the private-public gap in learning outcomes.
4. Reduces Social Stratification: Public systems prevent education from becoming a market commodity.
5. Supports NEP 2020 Vision: Aligns with goal of universal access and foundational literacy-numeracy.

Conclusion

There is growing financial, social, and structural inequalities emerging from India’s rising educational costs. As private schooling and coaching dominate, low- and middle-income families face significant strain, threatening the constitutional promise of universal and equitable schooling. Strengthening public education remains the most sustainable path to reducing disparities, rebuilding trust in government schools, and ensuring the education system remains a vehicle of opportunity rather than exclusion.

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