Giving Education No More A Service

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.