schools doing business in name of Annual day functions

during our childhood, Annual day functions are event everyone looking forward to and every kid get to participate in skits, plays etc., Now the school my kid is studying, asking for 2.5k to participate in annual day event. It is absurd the schools demanding money even after taking high school fees. Now half of the section is not participating in the event. Though it's not about the money, such additional fees will deter kids from participating and they don't get to enjoy with their friends.