Ahmedabad father's ₹1.5 lakh preschool 'donation' claim sparks debate on early education costs

An Ahmedabad-based entrepreneur's social media post about an alleged ₹1.5 lakh donation demanded for his two-year-old daughter's preschool admission has set off a broader conversation about the expense of early education in India.

Pritesh Lakhani said on X that while searching for a preschool for his daughter, who had recently turned two, a parent at one of the schools he was considering told him the donation was compulsory for securing a seat. He wrote that the first year's donation was ₹1.25 lakh, and that the school could otherwise assess both the child and the parents, potentially rejecting the application or asking for a higher sum.

"Preschool fun should not be this expensive," Lakhani remarked, adding that his family was looking for a school where their daughter could continue without having to switch institutions later.

The post drew a range of responses, with users weighing in on admission fees, the practice of assessing very young children, and alternatives to conventional schooling. Some suggested homeschooling, while others questioned whether preschool itself was necessary.

"Donation is mandatory in every aspect of education in India now. Hence people chose homeschooling. But that requires a lot of time from parents," one user wrote. Another asked how a two-year-old could be tested for admission, calling it a red flag and advising a change of school.

Several users argued that parents should prioritise schools focused on practical skills over reputation or conventional academics. One commenter said such famous schools were preparing children for a future that would not exist after 2035, and recommended homeschooling. Another described preschool as an unnecessary concept that existed to extract money, suggesting that games and collaboration with other children were more appropriate for that age.

One user put it bluntly: "homeschool. Something like education is too important to be outsourced to unqualified incompetent twats at inflated prices."

The discussion reflects ongoing concerns about the cost and accessibility of early education, and the choices parents face between established institutions and alternative approaches.