Extracurricular or extra-charge? What schools aren't telling you

India Today

2 days ago

Delhi-based Ritu Mehra was thrilled when her son's school introduced a new after-school "Leadership Through Theatre" programme. That excitement quickly turned into disbelief when she saw the fee rs. 25,000 for a 12-week course. "The only thing he enjoyed," she laughs wryly, "was the snacks."Across India's Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities, a quiet revolution is underway, and it's hitting parents squarely in the pocket. From "Coding for Kids" and "Young CEO Bootcamps" to "Olympiad Crash Courses" and "MUN Coaching," extracurricular activities (ECAs) have become a booming industry inside schools. But are they helping students grow or just padding already bloated school bills?advertisementTHE PRICE OF PARTICIPATIONIndia's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 strongly encourages holistic development. But in practice, most ECAs are outsourced to third-party vendors, and access is limited to those who can afford to pay.AVERAGE COST OF ECAS IN PRIVATE URBAN SCHOOLS:Coding classes (8 weeks): rs. 15,000- rs. 20,000 MUN participation/coaching: rs.5,000 - rs. 12,000Music or dance clubs: rs. 6,000- rs.15,000 per termOlympiad preparation: rs. 8,000-rs. 25,000 annuallyAnd that's apart from regular school fees, uniforms, books, and transport which already run into lakhs per year. "I paid rs. 18,000 for an annual music class my son's only takeaway was that he liked the snacks served after class." Parent, MumbaiRESUME PADDING, NOT SKILL BUILDING?The push for ECAs is often driven by a desire to build a "well-rounded profile" for university admissions. But experts warn that doing too many superficial activities can lead to burnout without real learning. "We're seeing a disturbing trend of quantity over quality kids juggling five clubs but mastering none," says Sangeeta Menon, an education consultant based in Bengaluru. "Colleges abroad can spot this quickly."In many cases, these ECAs lack qualified mentors, follow no structured curriculum, and are treated as box-ticking exercises.INDIA VS THE WORLD: THE ECA GAP
A look at how India compares with other countries shows a major disparity - not just in cost, but also in approach and outcomes. "In the US, my daughter joined the school orchestra for free. In India, every activity is a business model," says Shruti Verma, an NRI parent who recently moved back to India."Extra-curriculars are important, but commodification kills their essence. They must be inclusive, not elite," says Dr. Samina Qureshi, a child psychologist and education researcher.NOT ALL BAD WHEN DONE RIGHTThat said, when pursued with depth and consistency, ECAs can shape critical life skills: leadership, creativity, collaboration, and emotional intelligence. Students who have competed in Olympiads over several years or taken part in MUNs consistently often emerge with stronger communication and analytical abilities.But these outcomes require time, interest, and a supportive system not a pay-per-class model.WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?advertisementExperts suggest a few simple reforms to stop ECAs from becoming exclusive:Schools should integrate ECAs into the regular timetable, not treat them as expensive extras.Limit outsourcing, and train in-house teachers for clubs and skill-based activities.Encourage depth over variety - let students explore fewer activities with more commitment.Set fee caps or government guidelines for ECAs, especially in CBSE/ICSE-affiliated schools.A SYSTEM NEEDING BALANCEIndia's booming ECA market reflects ambition from schools, parents, and students alike. But ambition without equity creates exclusion. And extracurriculars without heart become just another financial burden. As schools push the boundaries of learning, the question remains: Are we nurturing talent or just billing it? - Ends