In this multi-part series, The Quint tries to explore the explosion of the privately-run Ryan ‘International’ Schools over the past few decades, and what it means for quality of education, safety of children, fair play by the administration and other factors. You can also read Part 1 and Part 2 of the series.)
In interviews with former students, their parents and long threads of grave complaints against various branches, The Quint came across a gaping difference between the steady increase in school fees and the steadily declining facilities.
In the previous part of this series on Ryan International Schools, we brought to light the corporal punishment and a pattern of undertrained and underpaid teachers akin to these schools across the country. But if the teachers are not paid well then why are numerous complaints of arbitrary fee hikes and crippling infrastructure in branches rampant across India?
In Ryan International School, Yelahanka, Bangalore, for instance, fees have been hiked 3-4 times, by 10% each time, in the last five years.
Till last year, I was paying Rs 16,000 per quarter, this year it touches Rs 20,000. The most drastic increase is in the ‘Bus Fee’. We live within one kilometer of the school and yet my daughter’s bus fee has been increased from Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,600.
Aman Singh, father of student at Ryan International School, Faridabad
