Most of them have spent about Rs 4,000 on this account, whereas they could have got all the stuff for just Rs 1,500 from outside.

This year, the quarterly fees of Pratt Memorial have gone up from Rs 3,435 to Rs 5595 in the senior classes and from Rs 2,985 to Rs 4,545 in junior classes. Annual fees have gone up from Rs 1,200 to Rs 5,000 while other charges like that for diaries, sports, exams is Rs 1,600.

"We are shocked because it was an arbitrary decision without taking the parents' body into confidence. We have decided to attend the annual prize distribution ceremony on Friday with black scarves tied around our mouths in protest," said a parent who is having to shell out Rs 16,000 at the beginning of the session for his daughter.

A parent of a Class I boy at Birla High School said he has coughed up nearly Rs 12,000 on fees, books and stationery alone at the beginning of the session, not to speak of uniform, transport and tiffin expenses.

"A few years back, when the school wasn't so gung-ho on brands, we used to spend about Rs 600 for a pair of shoes. Today we are spending at least Rs 5000 for two pairs of Reebok shoes," said the mother of a Class VIII girl studying in Mahadevi Birla Girls High School.

Among other schools that have introduced branded accessories are South Point School and Lakshmipat Singhania Academy.

While in the other schools, the expenses marginally decrease from the second quarter onwards, in the new age schools they don't. Take the case of Heritage School where parents have to pay Rs 20,700 quarterly in the junior school and Rs 21,600 in the senior school. "You have to take into account that this includes transportation and three major meals and all refreshments that the school provides," reasoned school headmistress Meenakshi Atal. "But what if I want to send my kid on my own and provide home cooked lunch. I should be given the freedom to do that," said a parent of a Class VI student.