Giving education is no more a service; it has, in its true sense, become a business. A business that brings revenues without the hustles and bustles of dealing with professionals. Hire some teachers, doesn’t matter how qualified they are to do the job, and you are good to go. You are at advantage if you have a nice infrastructure, you can ask for as much of money as possible from parents in the form of fees. Still not satisfied with the income? Don’t worry, open a trust or NGO on your grandfather’s name and ask for donations openly.
Many schools in Delhi NCR are earning in pinks thanks to the
lack of quality education at government schools. Central schools in the
national capital are not enough to cater the population that is in need of good
education. The only choice left with parents is sending their kids to private
schools; the road is not easy there too. Its hard to find admission in a well
reputed school without shelling out huge sum of money. There are around 4,500
schools in Delhi
and a majority of them reportedly demand donation in the name of school
development and upgradation of infrastructure. The donation ranges anywhere
from Rs 10,000 to a few lakhs, depending on the reputation and location of the
school. One could still think about the onetime spending but the monthly fee at
many schools is equivalent to the 2 weeks salary of many of us. And if you have
two kids, then only God could save their future.
As per latest circular from the directorate of school
education, no donation should be collected by the schools during admission.
Apart from that, these schools are also not supposed to conduct entrance tests.
However, the schools are flouting the rules since there is no concrete action
from the education officials concerned. Though, the State Human Rights
Commission ordered the district education officer in June to conduct a through
investigation into schools asking for donations, but no report has been
submitted as yet.
I know this blog will not change the business mindsets of
our academic entrepreneurs, but I wish people stop playing with the careers of
these little buds (kids). A school should be run as a temple of education and
social service center, not as a dividend paying company.
