Education is a very noble profession but like most other professions in our country (like the food or health business) , education is also without much rules and regulations. Schools open up in streets and lanes, irrespective of the size, location, facilities, class strength, parking area and standard of curriculum and staff, fees charged as per the desire of the institution.
Rs.50,000 is a normal admission and registration charges for schools while the book list and related stuff is another story. Mere registration which is non refundable can be as much as Rs.5000 and the admission list and deadlines for different schools are so messed up that you cant wait for all the lists to be up to take a proper decision having a clear idea of where you stand in the admission list. One school that puts up its lists first may reject admission if dues are not paid within the deadline that may be before the other schools list is put up so parents are left in a bizarre situation where they may end up paying fees for two schools instead of one or risk their luck!
I remember when i was in college and first year admissions were in progress, a mother came to me and in a very humble way requested if I could in some way find out whether her daughter had cleared the interview so she wouldnt have to pay fees in the other college she had applied to. The thing was that XYZ college list would be put up on 20th while last date of payment of fees for ABC college was 15th where her daughter had been admitted. She couldnt afford to pay in ABC and then pay again for XYZ as that is where she preferred her daughter goes to. I felt really bad for her and did this favor for her but what about the many other parents who faced the same situation? why isnt a proper system in place that makes sure that all admission lists and fee payment deadlines are aligned so that parents can weigh their options comfortably and then pay only for the college they desire to?
The story doesnt end here. There are more ways of money making in this business. Schools make deals with book shops, publishers and uniform shops in return for the heavy commission (rishwat) these parties pay to the school management and hence the school management bounds parents to purchase the required items from the schools approved bookshops and publishers only, not even providing a book list to the parents, saying that the bookshop itself has it. Then there are the sports fund, arts fund, miscellaneous fund, endowment fund, library fund, medical fund, student welfare fund, college welfare fund, building fund, general fund, academic development fund. magazine fund, red crescent fund, parking fee, development fund and you add it up to quite a wholesome amount!
While I try not to doubt the sincerity and commitment of the institutions, I would like to know where do all these funds go and how are they utilised for the benefit , security and comfort of the students ? The students and parents do have a right to know and track where and how their money is utilised so that they are more than willing to contribute towards a better learning environment and facility for their child. However, parents too are quite laid back in this matter and are partly to blame for the dues and charges to raise in such a horrendous manner. They dont become one voice and one power to demand effective changes in the education system that is more parent and student friendly.
Rs.50,000 is a normal admission and registration charges for schools while the book list and related stuff is another story. Mere registration which is non refundable can be as much as Rs.5000 and the admission list and deadlines for different schools are so messed up that you cant wait for all the lists to be up to take a proper decision having a clear idea of where you stand in the admission list. One school that puts up its lists first may reject admission if dues are not paid within the deadline that may be before the other schools list is put up so parents are left in a bizarre situation where they may end up paying fees for two schools instead of one or risk their luck!
I remember when i was in college and first year admissions were in progress, a mother came to me and in a very humble way requested if I could in some way find out whether her daughter had cleared the interview so she wouldnt have to pay fees in the other college she had applied to. The thing was that XYZ college list would be put up on 20th while last date of payment of fees for ABC college was 15th where her daughter had been admitted. She couldnt afford to pay in ABC and then pay again for XYZ as that is where she preferred her daughter goes to. I felt really bad for her and did this favor for her but what about the many other parents who faced the same situation? why isnt a proper system in place that makes sure that all admission lists and fee payment deadlines are aligned so that parents can weigh their options comfortably and then pay only for the college they desire to?
The story doesnt end here. There are more ways of money making in this business. Schools make deals with book shops, publishers and uniform shops in return for the heavy commission (rishwat) these parties pay to the school management and hence the school management bounds parents to purchase the required items from the schools approved bookshops and publishers only, not even providing a book list to the parents, saying that the bookshop itself has it. Then there are the sports fund, arts fund, miscellaneous fund, endowment fund, library fund, medical fund, student welfare fund, college welfare fund, building fund, general fund, academic development fund. magazine fund, red crescent fund, parking fee, development fund and you add it up to quite a wholesome amount!
While I try not to doubt the sincerity and commitment of the institutions, I would like to know where do all these funds go and how are they utilised for the benefit , security and comfort of the students ? The students and parents do have a right to know and track where and how their money is utilised so that they are more than willing to contribute towards a better learning environment and facility for their child. However, parents too are quite laid back in this matter and are partly to blame for the dues and charges to raise in such a horrendous manner. They dont become one voice and one power to demand effective changes in the education system that is more parent and student friendly.
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