Schooling Troubles - Part (1)

I realized how much times have changed only after I became a parent. This particular revelation is regarding schools.

STEP1:

The troubles begin with shortlisting schools to apply. It isnt as easy as applying to the top three schools in the city. One has to look at various factors like:

- Name and fame of school

- Distance from home (you might end up waking up at 4am to make the kid catch the bus at 6am !!)

- Fees and other expenses (check your budget first)

- Number of kids per section (anywhere between 30 to 100)

- Color of school dress (alas!! I missed this one and landed up with a white dress everyday.
Now I have hired a maid to wash the white-turned-brown dress everyday)

- Teaching methodology (better consult other parents for feedback)
You have shell out anywhere between Rs.500 to Rs.1500 per application form in each school. I've known parents spending atleast Rs.10000 just for application forms.

STEP2:

The next hurdle is to get shortlisted for interview. Criteria:-

- Are you an alumni of the same school? (better chances and lesser capitation fees)

- Is there a sibling of the child in the same school (better chances and lesser capitation fees)

- Management quota/ recommendation of bigwigs (better chances and lesser capitation fees)

- Educational qualifications of parents (You need a PG to get the homework of KG done)

- Earning capacity of the parents (affordability of the school expenses is a must. Some schools have openly stated the annual income criteria for parents)

- Luck (a must if you want to get into topmost school)

STEP3: The Interview.

This has no commonality between schools. Each to his/her own. The child and/or parents go through this round of scrutiny. Usually entry to kindergarten requires only interview where as admission to Std I requires a written test also. There are some pre-schools which 'coach' children regarding the interviews/ exams of top schools. Good luck to all ..

STEP4: Admission (finally !!).

Brace yourself for heartburn while you sign those cheques. Minimum requirement: admission fees, tution fees, sports fees, transport fees, books and stationery, uniform and shoes, clubs/ magazines and other extras. Some schools have other payment heads also like building fund, charity fund, management fund, refundable deposit, etc..

Now that the admission is taken care of, you have to 'educate' yourself regarding the teaching methodology. Most importantly, it is a must to follow the Almanac and/or noticeboard. Some schools use latest technology. The top-end schools have flat screen TVs in the premises displaying various messages, with each classroom equipped with a projector and/or ACs. They have an online system to interact with parents.

The method and frequency of homeworks varies from school to school. Some schools have known to warn parents beforehand that they give heavy homework everyday and hence it is must for one of the parents to be unemployed in order to spend time with the child. (how will they afford the fees then?? it is a vicious circle :-( ...) Some schools hardly give any, making you wonder whether they are teaching anything. Deciphering the homework assignment message sent by the teacher sometimes requires special skill.

Extracurricular activities are equally tiresome for the parents. Sports like swimming, tennis, etc.. require special equipment/ costumes. (Why cant they have PT like we used to and play kabaddi? ). There are clubs/ houses in schools which supposedly introduce the child to many things like music, dance, art, craft, etc.. ( I think this is also intended to upgrade the awareness in parents). Then there are picnics/ outings which not only cost you money, but also lead to stress while you fret over the safety of the child.

The troubles have just started for me. Education in India is for atleast 15years. Keep watching this space for more...

Doctor's day or Daughter's day

First thing that attracted me in today’s newspaper is ‘Daughter’s day’. I started wondering whether this was another marketing gimmick. There were a few small interviews and articles, unlike Mother’s day or Father’s day where pages and pages are devoted to the occasion. Then I checked the net and found a bunch of e-cards and many websites using this occasion to promote discounts on their products. There were Daughter’s day coloring pages for kids etc, etc. Then I thought probably this was some day that somehow got missed out in the melee of festivities.

I was a little disappointed to note that the government which claims to do so much about securing the future of the girl child doesn’t bother about highlighting the importance of this day. Maybe we Indians already have enough festivals to celebrate throughout the year. Anyone heard of Son’s day? Probably that will also spring up some day.

While browsing, I also came to know that today is Doctor’s Day. So we not only get to thank the Doctors who helped us in delivering our Daughters, but also thank our daughters who brightened our lives since their birth. So here is a sincere 'Thank you'.