New research reveals that over half of families with children at private schools or considering enrollment face significant financial pressure due to rising education costs.Independent Schools Australia's survey of 1,508 families found 53% are under strain, with many saving for three or more years to afford fees.Three-quarters of respondents are adjusting budgets, including cutting holidays and non-essentials, while 28% reduce essentials.Grandparents are increasingly contributing, with Victorian data showing $5,593 annually spent on private school fees by grandparents.

While some, like 83-year-old Sandra Masel, see it as a way to provide opportunities for grandchildren, concerns exist about older generations overextending themselves.

The article highlights the growing financial burden on families and the role of intergenerational support in education, with calls for careful consideration of sacrifices made to fund schooling.