Srinagar, May 2 -- Imagine scrimping and saving to send your child to school, hoping they'll learn, grow, and chase their dreams. Now picture that school turning into a money-hungry machine, demanding cash you don't have while punishing your child for your empty wallet. This is the reality for parents across Kashmir, where private schools are squeezing families dry with skyrocketing fees and ruthless tactics.

The problem starts with fee hikes that hit like a punch to the gut. Schools announce hikes without warning, slapping vague labels like "technology fund" or "maintenance charge" on the bills. A father in Srinagar told me his daughter's school raised fees by 20% last year, citing "infrastructure upgrades." He's still waiting to see a ...