‘Major financial project’: Tamil Nadu parents say private school fee disclosure rule will help plan education

Four years ago, Chennai bank employee R Mahesh paid around Rs 75,000 in annual fees and another Rs 10,000 for excursions, activities such as swimming and participation in National Cadet Corps at a top Chennai private school for two children. The total cost rose to nearly Rs 80,000 the following year and in 2026, he said his annual expenditure on schooling has reached Rs 2 lakh.

"When you know the fee in advance, you can plan your savings. But when charges keep appearing later, it creates stress. Parents want predictability," he said. "School education today is like a major financial project. You need information before making commitments."

Tamil Nadu parents think they have finally made some headway on that front. In a landmark ruling, the Tamil Nadu State Information Commission declared on May 29, 2026, that a school's fee structure is public information and cannot be withheld from parents. Acting on the order, the Directorate of Private Schools issued a state-wide circular, directing all nursery, primary, matriculation and CBSE schools to prominently display their government-approved fee structures at campus entrances. Schools were given until June 5 to comply and data will be compiled by June 23.

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The directive marks the first formal, state-wide mandate requiring private schools to publicly disclose fee structures, a step many parents and education observers say could reshape how families compare schools, plan finances and assess the value of educational services.

For many families, schooling is a financial commitment that stretches across 12 to 15 years and influences everything from savings plans and housing decisions to career choices and family budgets.

For Chitra R., a Chennai-based IT professional who hopes to start a family in the coming years, the announcement comes at a time when rising costs are already shaping conversations among young couples. "I noticed that the prices were going up high for everything. To be able to afford everything is scary today. The education fee is a little terrifying. Double income is one thing. But nowadays we don't know how much schools ask," she said. "People don't just wake up one day and decide where their child will study. Many families start thinking about schools years in advance. If fees are publicly available, at least parents know what they need to prepare for."

Cost of education and household expenses

Muthuvel, a farmer from Villupuram district, said fee transparency could help families make informed decisions before committing to years of educational expenses.

"I barely make ends meet these days, and it has been that way for a few years. Even then, I have always wanted my son to study in a private school because I felt it might open more opportunities for him in the future and maybe one day help our village," he said.

Muthuvel acknowledged that some of the preference is shaped by perception, but said many parents also see tangible benefits. "Maybe some of it is societal pressure, but when people compare government and private schools, they talk about facilities, English proficiency and exposure. We hope those things can help our children build a better future."

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He said the new disclosure rule could help parents avoid financial surprises."It is not just about the fee amount. Parents should know what they are committing to before admission, especially for people like us. Families with more than one child face an even greater financial burden. Parents say that without transparent information, it becomes difficult to estimate the actual cost of educating a child until Class 12.”

Beyond School Fees: The ‘additional costs’

S Karthik, a parent from Selaiyur, said many families discover additional costs only after admission."I want my kid to study in a very good school and that's the thing, right? We need transparency from schools. Otherwise we end up paying for activities like swimming and badminton and extra classes and what not," he said.

Parents collectively say additional charges can include transportation, uniforms, books, digital learning platforms, sports coaching, laboratory usage, annual events, field trips and specialised programmes.

"Nobody is saying don't provide activities. These things are important. Children should get exposure. But parents should know the full picture before they decide," Karthik said.

Families ‘paying for exposure’

M Kalaikrithi, a parent from Coimbatore, said many families evaluate schools through a much broader lens and end up picking private schools because of the ‘add-ons’.

"Parents are looking at communication skills, sports, competitions, leadership programmes, technology exposure and extracurricular activities. They feel these things help children develop confidence," she said.

Kalaikrithi said many of these opportunities come with additional costs beyond the annual tuition fee. In her child's school, she said, specialised programmes such as coding workshops, robotics clubs, sports coaching camps, inter-school competitions and Model United Nations events often require separate payments, ranging from a few thousand rupees to over Rs 15,000, depending on the activity and duration.

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"When parents pay higher fees, they are often paying for exposure. …Families believe these experiences can make a difference," she said, adding that while some activities are technically optional, parents often feel reluctant to opt out because children may miss opportunities.

"If a school is charging significantly more, families should be able to understand what additional opportunities are being offered."

One recurring question among parents is whether school fees accurately reflect the facilities being provided. Private schools increasingly promote smart classrooms, robotics laboratories, STEM centres, swimming pools, indoor sports complexes, advanced security systems and technology-enabled learning. While these facilities are often attractive, some parents say they struggle to understand how much these amenities contribute to overall costs.

A parent from Hosur, who requested anonymity, said many schools market infrastructure heavily during admissions."You visit a campus and everything looks impressive. Parents naturally feel attracted to it. But later they start wondering how much of the fee is going towards these facilities and whether their child is actually using all of them.