With the opening of schools across the country for the 2026 academic year, one thing that parents are hit with is the notorious concept of the "readmission fee." Although the government has banned schools from charging this fee, many educational institutions in Bangladesh, particularly in Dhaka, continue to charge students who have completed previous levels of schooling and are resuming educational activities for the next levels. Since the cost of living is also increasing, for many parents, this is a huge burden.
The common justification provided by the relevant authorities in schools regarding readmission fees includes administrative expenses like updating records, stationery, and identity cards, among others. This notion, according to parents and education rights advocates, merely masks the problem of financial drainage at schools that students are subjected to in the absence of regulation and accountability.
In fact, both the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education and the Ministry of Education have previously banned all educational institutions across the country from levying readmission fees and any other illegal tuition fees outside the fixed fee structures. But it appears, according to sources from various districts, that many educational institutions, especially private and semi-private, continue to impose additional charges ranging from a few hundred to several thousand taka per student. For households with more than a couple of school-going children, the cumulative impact is overwhelming.
Parents' associations and civil society have long argued that charging the tuition as well as the development fees is illegal and unethical. As per the existing policy, schools are allowed to charge tuition and development fees, but charging readmission fees is illegal. There is also no provision for charging arbitrary amounts in a vague manner.
Education specialists point to a lack of enforcement as the cause of this issue. According to them, directives are issued, but there is little follow-up.
Bangladesh has been making significant progress in terms of improvement in enrolment and reduction in dropout rates over the last two decades. However, hidden costs such as readmission costs vitiate the environment of education, dealing a blow to poor families. Unforeseen costs of education result in increased dropout chances.
Many school administrators feel that the increasing operating costs leave no option for them other than this. Financial problems do exist, but the need for legality and equality cannot be ignored.
If there are budget concerns, it is to be discussed with the authorities concerned and when the schools are legally allowed to increase their fees, they have to be transparent with the parents and inform them beforehand.
There have been some districts that have initiated processes for the disclosure of school fees, requiring institutions to showcase approved fees before the beginning of a given calendar year. Such initiatives have led to a decrease in informal school fees, as well as an increase in trust among parents. Such initiatives must be rolled out nationwide.
Ultimately, the fact that these fees are still being charged indicates even more underlying issues with governance as well as the commodification of educational institutions. Bangladesh cannot achieve balanced and inclusive development with educational institutions charging arbitrarily for such a fundamental right.
As the new academic year dawns, greater attention to readmission fees should be paid in order to streamline the system. It is time for enforcement of the directive, ensuring transparency and empowering parents. It is time for Bangladesh to make sure that the right to continue education for each and every child is ensured without requiring any extra cost.
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