In India today, there's a common belief that paying more means getting a better education. This idea has turned education into a big business, with companies like Byju's charging families ₹30,000 to ₹40,000 a year for their learning programs. This is a lot for the average Indian family, especially those with several children. Surprisingly, it's often the families who can least afford it who invest in these programs, hoping to give their children the opportunities they never had.
I remember my schooling in Wayanad cost about ₹3,000 per year, a total of ₹36,000 over twelve years. Now, the cost for just half a year of LKG can be the same. The fees have skyrocketed way beyond inflation, and it makes me wonder: are we really getting what we pay for?
Speaking with families from Bangalore, I realized that despite the high costs, the outcome for our kids doesn't seem much different. Yes, schools might have better facilities now, but is that worth the huge fees? In this digital age, quality learning resources are just a click away, often at much lower costs.
Spending wisely on education is crucial. While it makes sense to invest in higher education or professional courses, splurging on basic education doesn't seem right. Education is a right, after all, and should be affordable. It's time to rethink our approach to spending on education, focusing on real value rather than falling into the trap of equating high costs with quality.