It is admission time for our kids. Poor chaps have to take the examination. Or they have to face an interview. And if this were not enough their parents have to carry a huge burden of formalities. And in this crazily competitive atmosphere your time to make a choice, after your kid cracks the nut, starts now, and ends now.
In simple words the problem is this: the top ranking schools in the valley have resorted to a practice that is simply exploitative.
Just after the selection of your ward, you have to pay a hefty sum, and that too well before the admission of your wards is deemed cancelled. It is the case of hurry up, or pack your bag home. Suddenly parents find themselves in a quandary: whether to submit the fee or wait as their wards are good enough to crack the entrance in other schools as well. How can this be explained that the entire exercise for fresh admissions is conducted in the month of September; though the class work is scheduled to begin after winter vocation, in March, but parents are asked to  submit fee just within a day or two. This is done to secure the quota of fresh admissions that the schools have for the session. Had it not been better to keep it open for sometime by extending the date for the submission of fee by some weeks, till all, or most of the top ranking schools, come out with their results.  This would give parents time enough time to make the choice of the school.
Fayaz Ahmad, a parent went to the head of the institution of a Public School (School not named because of the insistence of the parent) in the valley, pleaded for some time to be given before he submits the fee, and the reply was; “we don’t have time. You wait and the candidates will be placed in the waiting list”. The parents now find themselves between the devil and the deep sea. Whether wait for their kids making it to the selection list in the preferred school or to settle for this selection? It is the case of first school having the first fry. This reporter was so impressed to read the thought of the day, at the website of one of the most preferred schools of the valley
This reporter called the office of a prominent school for appointment to know why such compulsions on parents, the reply came, that the person who heads the institution is out of station, you better call the Principal acting on his behalf. I called the person in charge, who was in no mood to reply to my question. I went to another institute whose motto is “In all things be men”. Asked about their side of the story; man at other side replied that they would call me back. I tried several times but later realized in all things men can’t be men.
Secretary Education was busy with the meeting. Additional Secretary Education said, “Director School Education can give any reply in this regard”. I talked to Director School Education Shagufta Parveen about the issue who said, “I don’t think they don’t give enough time to parents to opt for other institutes, and once they apply, they should know the kind of formalities they have to go through. If there certainly is such a case let the parents come to me. I do believe control should be there but parents are at freedom whether to go for such schools or not.”
I tried with the administration of another reputed school but could not get a response. Spokesman of Burnhall School said, “We believe parents should be given some space for choice of the institution so we don’t announce admission when the other schools of valley go for the process.”
I asked Noted Educationist Prof. A G Madhosh about where the fault lies. He answered: “These days education is taken as an investment which fetches dividends in the form of products. Corporate and industry entered into education sector. They have made huge investments. Obviously; they would want their clienteles not go anywhere. That is why they are tightening their educational policy. It has got nothing to do with human side of management.” When I asked what the parents could do in this situation, he said, “Part of the blame should go to parents; some of them are ready to pay huge fee just to show their class superiority.”

Lastupdate on : Sat, 17 Sep 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 17 Sep 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 18 Sep 2011 00:00:00 IST