Education is ‘business’ today; parents link expensive JEE coaching, IIT fee hike to student suicides

NEW DELHI: “Every single kid you see here dreams of IIT”, almost all parents on duty at the JEE Main exam centre 2025 in Delhi echoed the same sentiment. Slamming the government and Indian education system, several parents also linked fee hikes and the coaching culture to the increasing number of student suicides.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) is conducting the JEE Mains session 1 for the third consecutive day, today. But the parents’ crowd outside the exam centre remained the same.

Careers360 spoke to the parents of JEE Main aspirants across the exam centres in Delhi. Here’s what they have to say about JEE Mains, IIT fee hikes, education budget, and spike in suicide rates.

Panjak Bhalla, father of a JEE Mains aspirant, said: “Today’s kids are smart and are well prepared. But a child’s upbringing and the atmosphere he grows in matters the most.”

"Of course, students in India are under a lot of pressure. Of the 14 lakh, only 2.5 lakh will get admission in IITs. When there is societal and financial pressure, how will a 14 or 15-year old not take stress?" another parent said.

Study abroad

The education budget is ‘disappointing’. Lakhs of students leave the country to study abroad because the number of premium colleges in India is limited. When you have to fight to get a seat at these institutes such as IITs, NITs , the possible solution to gain a better education is abroad.

Pushing for better infrastructure, he said, hike in school and college fees puts pressure on parents as well. “To be very honest, I may also send my kid abroad, if he doesn’t get admission in a good college. That’s how many who can afford will think. It’s a loss for India.”

In July last year, the Union education minister informed the Lok Sabha that 8.94 lakh students left India to study abroad in 2023. The US Open Doors 2024 Report revealed that the number of Indian students studying in the US has increased by 23% compared to the previous year, surpassing China.

Student welfare in foreign countries

Countries like Norway, Germany, Finland, Iceland, Denmark, and Sweden offer free or low-cost education to all students. Notably, Norway offers free higher education to all students, regardless of their nationality. The student welfare schemes in these countries provide hostel accommodation, medical care, and opportunities for students to participate in extra-curricular activities.

“India is overpopulated and that’s why the government is unable to provide such welfare schemes to Indian students. Poor infrastructure, lack of funds, tough education system, unemployment, collectively is not conducive to offer student welfare scheme similar to foreign countries like Sweden and Norway.”

“The existing government schools, schemes, and the education system are not that great in India. One of the reasons why parents prefer enrolling their kids in private schools despite the exorbitant rates,” he added.

Low pay, unemployment

There are not enough jobs in India. Even after spending lakhs of rupees, they are unhappy with the paychecks. Giving an example, he said, “A kid spends Rs 20 lakh in Allen Institute or Kota coaching centre for four years. If the student chooses to study in a government-funded institute, it will cost him a few lakhs. At the same time, if he gets admission in private college, he’ll have to spend another Rs 15 to Rs 20 lakh. When you spend this much money on education and do not get a return for your investment, it’s obvious that the student will choose to leave the country.” Youth in India want jobs, he added.

Adding to this , another parent said : “Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) used to charge around Rs 50,000 to Rs 70,000 earlier. But now, one has to pay Rs 2 to 3 lakh to complete the degree at IITs.”

Also read IIT fee revision might be on the cards; education ministry panel to examine institute finances

Two reasons for student suicides

One is that the Indian education system is tough and the second reason is commercialisation and capitalisation of education. "Kota coaching centres and others do not care about the students, but money. They also hunt for kids who have scored 99%. None of the coaching centres will try to improve the marks of 60% scoring students,” the father of a JEE aspirant said.

“If a student spends 4 hours in school, he spends an average of 6 hours in coaching classes.” Referring to the recent allegation of fraud by FIITJEE , he said big companies like Allen and Akash have been earning crores by capitalising on education.

Father of Class 12 student said: “Being a little helpful will also have a huge positive impact on kids. Spending quality time with kids, when they are free, is crucial to boosting their confidence and bond. Rather than pushing them to fulfill our expectations, one should ask their kid how they want us to support them,” he added.

Kota suicides, mental health

“I have been to Kota. I did not like it. It’s a marketplace for hostels and coaching centres ,” a parent said.

Two students died in Kota last month. "It’s chilling to read about young students’ suicides in newspapers every other day." Trying to explain the mental state of a kid, a parent said: “When you enrol your 15-year-old in a coaching institute far away from your home, it is not possible for parents to be there for them when in need. Counselling is the need of the hour.”

“Societal pressure stems from the stress created in the universities. And the vicious circle of turning education into business and ‘unbelievable’ expectation on kids regarding admission, job, salary packages at a very young age majorly contributes to the deteriorating mental health among students,” one of the parents said.

Also read Parents tell children there's no going back: Police, coaching institutes on student suicides in 'Kota factory'

Misleading ads

On misleading ads claiming 100% selection and admission, most parents said that the government should take strict measures to deal with such institutions, which have converted education, and cracking entrance exams like JEE, and NEET into business. Simply promising and issuing guidelines does not necessarily mean it is being implemented,” a disgruntled parent said.

The government should provide free education for students up to Class 12. Adding to it, another parent went on to ask “How many students study in government schools? The Centre is shutting down government schools due to non-recruitment of teachers. Moreover, lakhs of teachers vacancies are unfilled.” “When there are no teachers in government schools or colleges, who will teach them?”

(With inputs from Careers360 reporter Lalit Kumar)