School transport fees are all set to burn a hole in parents’ pockets in the new academic year (2012-13), with hikes of up to 20 per cent in the offing. While schools cite the recent hike in petrol prices as a reason, parents say this is questionable as most schools use buses that run on diesel, with only a few relying on mini vans, that run on petrol. The schoolbus is the preferred option for most working parents due to the safety factor compared to RTC buses and autorickshaws.

With transport fees now increasing to `5,500 a quarter (from `4,500), it is a stiff burden as parents point out that earlier the charge was based on distance. “But now, they are collecting uniform charges, irrespective of the distance. Students who travel a distance of less than 5 km are at a loss. Though there are clear directions from the government that schools should implement slabwise transport charges based on distance, none of the schools do so,” said B. Kamalakar, a parent.

The tuition fee, which was hiked this year by 20 to 50 per cent to meet the hike in property tax and salaries for teachers, and bus charges are weighing down parents, especially those from the middle and lower-middle income groups. Now it costs nearly `60,000 to send a child to even a middle-rung school, taking into account an additional `10,000 for uniforms, books and stationery.