From pre-primary to higher secondary, urban families in Karnataka are paying far above the national average, making schooling one of their biggest financial strains.
Karnataka has emerged as the costliest state in India for school education, with families here spending far more than the national average on their children’s schooling. The latest National Sample Survey (NSS) report on “Household Social Consumption on Education in India” has placed Karnataka at the top of the list in terms of household expenditure per student.
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According to the survey, households in Karnataka spend an average of Rs 34,325 per student annually on school education, nearly double the all-India average of Rs 16,523. The state is followed by Kerala (Rs 28,467), Chandigarh (Rs 27,520), and Delhi (Rs 27,031).
The report highlights that Karnataka’s high costs are driven largely by private schooling, which dominates urban areas. Expenditure includes tuition fees, books, uniforms, transportation, coaching, and other charges, putting additional financial pressure on middle-class families.
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Education experts point out that the steep rise in costs reflects both the growing demand for quality education and the lack of adequate public school infrastructure. Parents, especially in urban centres like Bengaluru, are left with little choice but to opt for expensive private institutions.
Interestingly, while Karnataka leads in schooling expenses, states such as Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Bihar spend significantly lower per student, highlighting wide disparities in education affordability across India.
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With the new academic year set to begin, the findings have reignited debates over regulating private school fees and strengthening government schools to ensure equitable access.
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