The new academic year starting April 1 has pushed education costs sharply higher, with families facing steep increases in books, stationery and other school essentials. Booksellers have raised textbook prices for classes 1 to matric by Rs. 100 to Rs. 500 across all grades, citing higher costs of imported paper.
Stationery sellers have also increased prices of notebooks, registers and drawing copies. They are now selling practical notebooks for matric classes between Rs. 1,500 and Rs. 2,500, while ordinary notebooks cost Rs. 150, medium-quality Rs. 250 and high-quality versions up to Rs. 500.
Vendors have increased prices of colors and markers by nearly 70 percent. They are selling geometry boxes between Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000, while calculators for matric students now cost Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 5,000.
Retailers are also charging higher prices for uniforms, shoes and school bags. Uniforms now cost Rs. 3,500 to Rs. 5,000, shoes Rs. 2,500 to Rs. 4,000 and school bags Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 7,000. Transporters have raised pick-and-drop charges by 100 percent to 150 percent after the increase in fuel prices.
A service that previously cost Rs. 3,000 now costs between Rs. 6,500 and Rs. 7,000. Private schools have also increased fees. Low-tier schools charge around Rs. 2,500 as admission fee and Rs. 1,500 per month, while mid-range schools charge Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 5,000 admission and Rs. 2,500 monthly.
Elite schools are charging between Rs. 8,500 and Rs. 10,000 for admissions. Many schools are forcing parents to buy uniforms and books from designated shops, adding further to the financial burden.