This week, over four million Australian children will return to classrooms, marking the beginning of a new school year.

But parents are paying more than ever - with private school fees in Sydney and Melbourne increasing more than 50 per cent over the past decade.

The fees have far exceeded the rate of inflation and wage growth, forcing some parents remortgage homes, take on more debt and sacrifice family holidays to cover the costs.

Today, education editor for the Sydney Morning Herald, Lucy Carroll on why parents are paying more than ever before.

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