Education in India

Calculating increases in School fees

The Hindu has a piece on the school fee increases announced by schools in Chennai.

Joint Secretary and Regional Officer of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) N. Nagraju said schools affiliated to the Board had autonomy in deciding their fee structures. The increase should be commensurate with the facilities, he said. Schools were also expected to submit audit reports for affiliation and recognition, he added.

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Parents complained not just about the increase, but also about the lack of information. We need to know where the money is going, said a member of the PTA of a school in central Chennai. A few schools acknowledge the need for more transparency. An office-bearer of the Principals of Matriculation Schools Association said all matriculation schools were urged to convene PTA meetings at least four times a year, to inform parents about the expenses incurred. Matriculation schools, too, are not governed by specific rules regarding the fee structure. The Chittibabu Committee that worked on evolving norms for fees structure merely recommends that we be reasonable, a senior Principal said.
With the ITES sector and other opportunities such as online tutoring offering huge pay packets, retention of good teachers is becoming a challenge for most schools.

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Principal of Bala Vidya Mandir S. S. Nadan says schools would have to raise the fee every year or once in two years to ensure that teachers are paid well. Bala Vidya Mandir follows a scientific system of calculating the increase, which is also made known to parents. The school, which follows the practice of increasing the fee once in two years, calculates the increase like this the total expense for the last two years plus a 10 per cent hike for inflation is divided by two, and again divided by 1,250 (school strength). This is again divided by 3 to arrive at the fee per term.

According to me, raising fees more than nine per cent per year has a profit motive behind it. Anything less than nine per cent is bad budgeting, Mr. Nadan said.
Teachers salaries, maintenance and repair work form a major chunk of the expenses incurred, he said. Schools may have increased the amount a little more in anticipation of the sixth Pay Commission, it is learnt. I think todays middle class parents do not spend as much on education in proportion to their income as parents did 10 years ago , Schools cannot but increase the fee if good teachers are to be retained. Education, for parents, should figure higher in their list of priorities, Mr. Nadan said.

The Bala Vidya Mandir model for calculating fee increases sounds reasonable on the face of it. But this assumes the school will do nothing new that would require either capital expenditure or recurring expenditure each month or year, to improve the infrastructure and teaching, or facilities for the teachers.

When the Principal Mr. Nandan says that any fee increase of more than 9% increase per year has a profit motive, he mixes up surplus and profit. While no school can have a profit-motive, schools can certainly have a surplus-motive. Profit is money that can be taken out of an organisation by the "owners" in the form of dividends - by law no school trust in India can do that. But a surplus is not only legally allowed, it is not a bad thing at all, if it helps the school make a bit more income than expenditure to be able to invest in better school facilities or more teachers leading to a lower student-teacher ratio.

The challenge for schools today is to
a. improve the quality of education they impart
b. try and set up more such schools to meet the huge demand for high quality education.

The question is will inflation-linked fee-increases be sufficient to improve things for current and future batches of learners?

Free education for single girl children: CBSE proposes, legal advice disposes, but silver lining emerges

CBSE's experiment to promote the education of girl children by ordering all CBSE-affilated schools to provide free education from classes VI-XII to girls who are the single child of their parents has come to an end even before it could be implemented. The CBSE has watered down its order and made it optional for private CBSE-affiliated schools to consider offering free education to single girl children in classes IX-XII, apparently after being provided with legal advice that indicated that its original order may not be defensible in court. But it is a story that ends well with a silver lining emerging in the form of government funded scholarships of Rs. 500/- per student per month given to single girl children in classes IX-XII in all CBSE-affiliated schools.

In future, I hope the Government floats such ideas first to be able to get a pulse of the both legal and public opinion, before making it an order or law. The CBSE could have saved itself a lot of trouble if it had floated the idea and asked for feedback from all CBSE-affiliated schools as well as legal opinion on whether such an order would be defensible in court.

Here's how the CBSE in its circular dated October 15, 2005 to heads of CBSE-affiliated schools described its reasons for imposing its order and the how it was to be implemented.

Sir/Madam,

You may be aware that in many countries available indicators show that the girl child is discriminated against from the earliest stages of life, through her childhood and into adulthood. It may not be out of place to mention here that India is one of those countries in the world in which men outnumber women. The reasons for this can be attributed to, among other things, indifferent attitudes and practices against girl child including their health and well being. It has generally been observed that girl child is discriminated against in the matter of education also. The ratio of drop outs for girls at different levels of education is more than that for the boys

To remedy the situation, the Central Board of Secondary Education has already made a provision in its Examination Bye-Laws that girl candidates, who are bonafide residents of the National Capital Territory of Delhi can appear in Class X and Class XII Examinations of the Board as Private Candidates.

In order to further promote education for girl child, an amendment in the Affiliation Bye-Laws of the Board has now been made that all the affiliated schools will grant full waiver of all fees (including tuition fee and all other fees under any head except the meals and transportation fee) charged by them from class VI onwards to each girl student who is also the single child of a parent. Similarly, it will be appreciated if the schools also consider extending 50% concession in these fees for every girl student who is one of two daughters who are also the only two children in a family. In addition to above, the school on its own can also waive such fees like transportation and meal fee (as applicable).

It has been decided by the Board that the above provisions will be made applicable to all schools affiliated with the Board. However, already affiliated schools will have a choice to implement these either with immediate effect or from the next academic session commencing from 1.04.2006. In case of schools seeking affiliation with CBSE, the implementation will be with immediate effect.

For implementation of these provisions, it is advised that the schools may accept the status of the girl children on the basis of a simple affidavit sworn by the parents. Such parents may also be informed very categorically that they shall intimate the school immediately about any change in the single status of girl child/children in the family, if and when it occurs, and it shall be their sole responsibility. The schools may also intimate to the parents that in case it is detected at any time that the affidavit sworn in by them was false, appropriate action will be taken by the school against them, and the CBSE will also consider withholding certificates.

In the light of the above, the Managements & Heads of the Institutions of all the affiliated schools are requested to take appropriate action, and to submit their 'Quarterly Report on Fee Concession', as per enclosed format. The schools who have applied for affiliation with the Board are also requested to be in readiness for implementing the above provision for promotion of education for the girl child from the month they receive affiliation with the Board and start sending quarterly reports in the format. To start with, the report for the quarter ending September 2005 may be sent to the Joint Secretary (Affiliation), Central Board of Secondary Education, Delhi before 30th November 2005. It is hoped that all the affiliated schools will take the pride in the implementation of above provisions in the interest of education of girl children, and non-implementation of these provisions will attract necessary action under Affiliation Bye-Laws of the Board.

Not only was the CBSE asking schools to provide free education to single girl children, it was also asking schools to submit a Quarterly Compliance Report - more paperwork for the schools. There was strong resistance to this move from CBSE-affiliated schools and a minority unaided institution, Carmel Convent School, moved the Delhi High Court saying that the circular is violative of Article 30 of the Constitution (right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions). In January 2006, the Delhi High Court stayed the implementation of the order and Justice Vikramjit Sen issued notices to CBSE, the Centre and the Director of Education of the Delhi Government asking them to file replies to the petition within four weeks and posted the matter for further hearing on March 27.

Just a week before the next hearing in the Delhi High Court, the CBSE in its circular dated March 22, 2006 has chosen to water down its previous circular by making it optional for private CBSE-affiliated schools to consider extending waiver of fees to single girl children studying in classes IX to XII. But all single girl children studying in government run Kendriya Vidyalayas would be given a fee waiver from class VI onwards, with the government picking up the tab. It has also introduced a new scholarship scheme for single girl children who secure 60% or more marks in their class X Examination for the year 2006 onwards. These children would be given scholarship of Rs. 500/- p.m. for studying in classes XI and XII in schools who charged tuition fee of not more than Rs. 1,000/- p.m. during the academic year 2005-06.

The Delhi High Court has subsequently disposed off the case (Civil Writ Petition No. 778/2006) on March 27.

This is what the CBSE says in its superceding circular dated March 22, 2006.

Sir/Madam,

In supersession of circular No.CBSE/AFF/2005/22817-30743 dated 18.10.2005 on above-mentioned subject, the following decisions have been taken by the Board for promotion of education for Girl child in the school:

1. A new scholarship scheme has been introduced from the academic session 2006-07 for single girl child studying in the schools affiliated with the Board. As per the new scholarship scheme all single girl children who secure 60% or more marks in their class X Examination for the year 2006 onwards would be given scholarship of Rs. 500/- p.m. for studying in classes XI and XII in schools who charged tuition fee of not more than Rs. 1,000/- p.m. during the academic year 2005-06.

   The detailed guidelines for availing the scholarship will be issued shortly.

2. All the Kendriya Vidyalayas would continue to give fee waiver to single girl children (except meals and transportation fee) from class VI to XII as per the scheme already introduced by the Board.

3. Further all the private independent schools affiliated to CBSE may also consider extending waiver of school fee (excluding meals and transportation fee) to single girl children studying in class IX to XII.

The above modifications are subject to the final outcome of the writ petition pending before the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi in this regard.

For implementation of these schemes including scholarships, the status of single girl child will be accepted on the basis of an affidavit sworn by the parents. Such parents may also be informed very categorically that they shall intimate the school as well as the CBSE immediately about any change in the single status of girl child/children in the family, if and when it occurs, and it shall be their sole responsibility. The schools may also intimate to the parents that in case it is detected at any time that the affidavit sworn in by them was false, appropriate action will be taken against them, which may even include withholding of certificates.

In the light of the above, the Managements & Heads of the Institutions of all the affiliated schools are requested to take appropriate action, and to submit their 'Quarterly Report on Fee Concession' as per enclosed revised format if they are implementing. It is also requested that the modifications made to the scheme especially the scholarship component may be widely publicized among the students/parents of your school so that they are able to take maximum benefit.

Further in order to enable the Board to grant scholarships at the earliest all the schools are requested to submit the following information to the Board:

(a) List and Roll No of single girl children who appeared in AISSE 2006 of the Board latest by 31.5.2006 and

(b) List and Roll No.of single girl children secured 60% and above marks in AISSE 2006 latest by 31.7.2006.

It is hoped that all the schools affiliated with the Board will cooperate in implementing the modified scheme successfully.

The revised proposal of offering a scholarship to all single girl children studying in all CBSE-affiliated schools (not just Kendriya Vidyalayas) makes eminent sense. The Government ought to pick up the tab and has rightly chosen to do so. With a minimum requirement of 60% marks in their class X exams and limiting the scholarship to those schools where the tuition fee is not more than Rs. 1,000/- per month, the CBSE is targeting the really needy and promising single girl students.

Not only is it targeting the right students, it is also providing a very strong incentive for schools to enroll single girl students since they will get Rs. 500 per month per child from the government. In effect, this is a voucher model. Any single girl child can take the scholarship and go to any school he/she wants and encash it there. Schools will now be competing to enroll single girl children.

What does a university education cost in India? Some real numbers

The International Comparative Higher Education Finance and Accessibility Project (ICHEFAP) is is looking at the worldwide shift in the burden of higher education costs from governments and taxpayers to parents and students. This partial shift of costs – sometimes referred to as “cost sharing” or a part of “revenue diversification” – can be seen throughout the world, according to ICHEFAP.

A comparison of the costs to students/parents for higher education in India across central and state universities ,as well as government and private aided colleges in India is provide by the ICHEFAP.

The following table is excerpted from their site. It highlights the Higher Education Expenses Borne by Parents and Students for the First Degree during the Academic Year 2001-2002.

The costs are provide both in Indian Rupees as well as US$ equalised with the purchasing Power parity estimate $1 =India rupees 11.78. [3]

Notes:

The above table was compiled in large part in 2002 by M.R. Narayana, Professor of Economics, Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bangalore.

[3] 1998 official exchange rate was $1 = Rs41.259 and the PPP was $1 = Rs10.44; the 2001 official exchange rate was $1 = 46.540)

[4] Central University is funded by union government. Costs here are from website of Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi lodging at the university hostel.

[5] State University funded by state government. Tuition costs are from website of University of Mumbai. Lodging costs here are from website of Allahabad University with lodging at the university hostel. Admisssion fee, registration fee, sports development fee and examination fee are from Bangalore University information.

[6, 7, 8] Estimates based on the 52nd Round of the National Sample Survey (NSS) on Attending an Educational Institution in India: Its Level, nature and Cost inflated by annual rate of inflation from survey year (1996-97) through 2001-02.

This is presumably what students are explictly paying as fees/living expenses. To this must be added the subsidy to arrive at the full fees.

ICHEFAP provides similar cost comparisons for other countries in Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa and Australia too.

Non-tuition fees charged by Kendriya Vidyalayas: Question in the Lok Sabha

LOK SABHA: UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 3021 (March 22, 2005)

3021. SHRI SANAT KUMAR MANDAL Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Kendriya Vidyalayas are charging any fee other than tuition fee from the students;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the tuition fee being paid by the Government employees refunded by the Government to their employees;

(d) if so, the fee other than tuition fee also being refunded to the employees;

(e) if so, the details thereof; and

(f) if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI M. A. A. FATMI)

(a) & (b) The following fees charged by Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan in addition tuitions fees:-

(i) Vidyalaya Vikas Nidhi (VVN) at the rate of Rs. 160/- per month per student is charged by KVS from all classes except for the Science students of classes XI and XII from whom the amount is being charged @ Rs. 200/- per month per student to supplement the expenditure which are being met out of non-plan grants being sanctioned by the Government.

(ii) In respect of Pre-Primary classes an amount of Rs. 400/- per month per student is charged from students as these classes are run on self-financing basis.

(iii) An amount of Rs. 20/- is charged per month per student from students for Computer Education for class III onwards and Rs. 40/- per student per month is charged from the students who opt for Information Technology at +2 stage to meet the expenditure on providing Computer Education.

(iv) An amount of Rs. 100/- per student is charged towards cost of prospectus and admission form at the time of initial admission.

(v) An admission fee of Rs. 25/- per student is also charged from students at the time of initial admission.

(c) to (f) As per instructions of the Ministry of Finance, only the tuition fee being charged from the Central Government employees is refunded , subject to maximum amount of Rs. 50/- per child per month (Rs. 100/- per child per month in respect of physically handicapped/mentally retarded children). Ministry of Finance do not permit the refund of fees other than the tuition fee.

If you would like to search for more questions raised in Parliament on various topics, click here.

School fees at some high-end schools

School fees at some high-end schools:

From The Hindustan Times

GD Goenka school's website, for instance, states a six-figure fee. The school charges Rs 1.7 lakh annually, with an additional Rs 1.53 lakh at the time of admission.

The British school, on its part, charges between Rs 3.14 lakh to Rs 3.59 lakh depending on which grade the student enrols in. It offers "an education based on British standards".

Starex International, another fledgling school, charges between Rs 1 lakh to 2 lakh depending on whether you have selected the CBSE or the Cambridge curriculum. "This," says head of institution Rupa Chakravarty, "is the lowest, considering the facilities the school offers in its 125 acre spread".

From 123bharath.com

Prashant Jain, director of Pathways World School in Gurgaon bordering Delhi, says the American Embassy School and the British School are day schools with no hostel facilities.

He said his school has 500 students, of which 80 per cent come from other states and "even other countries".

Jain said: "In our school, we have students from 24 countries. They mostly come from Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Nepal, Bangladesh, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea and other parts of Asia. For them, India is a good destination to learn English."

Located on a sprawling 32-acre campus, the school boasts of an Olympic-sized football field, a swimming pool, horse-riding grounds and world-class libraries, amphitheatres and hostels.

The fees range from Rs.120,000 ($2,600) - with an additional Rs.120,000 for hostel accommodation - to Rs.230,000 ($5,000) per year. This is less than the Rs.670,000 ($14,500) charged by the embassy schools, Jain said.

From Indian Express

In the Doon School, Dehradun, in 1935, the fee was Rs 1,375 per annum. Today, it is around Rs 150,000. Forty per cent of the students are either on bursaries or need-based financial assistance. While even 20 years ago, boys enrolled from Delhi, Calcutta and Bombay, today’s profile is different.

A quarter of the student body comes from the metros. A staggering 75 per cent is from second-tier towns, Moradabad, Kanpur, Agra, Ranchi, Patna, and the Northeast.

Range of school fees in some schools in Delhi and Mumbai

In the context of the Supreme Court's judgement on Modern School vs Union of India & Others on April 27, 2004,

The Times of India provides an indication of the monthly school fees charged by some schools in Delhi.

• Springdales School : Rs. 1,100 to Rs. 1,300
• Sardar Patel Vidyalaya : Rs. 1,200 to Rs. 1,500
• Shriram School : Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 6,000
• British School : Rs. 9,600 to Rs. 13,300
• American School : Rs. 21,600 to Rs. 59,000
• DPS International : Rs. 10,000
• GD Goenka : Rs. 11,500 (for day boarding)
• Pathways : Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 19,000
• Government schools : Rs. 10

and

Indian Express provides an indication of the monthly school fees charged by some schools in Mumbai.

• Dhirubhai Ambani International School: Rs. 10,000
• Ramniranjan Podar School, Santacruz: Rs. 1,300
• Bombay Scottish: Rs. 1,000
• G D Somani Memorial school, Cuffe Parade: Rs. 14,250 per quarter

See an earlier post on the costs of formal schooling in Chennai for the range of schools fees in Chennai.

If you know of the fees charged in schools in specific schools in major cities and towns across the country, please do add to this list. It would be interesting to compare and contrast the fees across different schools across the country. If possible, please try and verify the school fees with someone whose child goes to that school or with the school itself to ensure that the figures are up to date. Thanks.