Today, I had an extremely busy morning with loads of work and tension...I was making my way to the measuring room (where machined components are checked for accuracy). Suddenly, my senior yelled at me. He called, " Ananth, ek minute idhar aana"...
Me: Kya hua, sir?Senior: Dekh, yeah kitne ka DD banvaa raha hai..
Me: Kya, kitne ka?? 45, 431 rupees ka..?? kis liye??
Senior: Iske bachche ki admission ke liye, LKG mein hain bachcha.
Me: Shit!!!, WTF!!!, LKG mein hain....aur 45 hazaar rupees donation???
This is the background story. 'Iske' refers to one the technicians on the shop floor. This guy wants to get his child admitted in LKG class. And the poor guy was filling the form for Demand draft and the figure was nothing other than 45,431 rupees. Just imagine, this is the donation to be given to the school for securing a seat for a child in class LKG.
I tell you, I was shocked to death. I couldn't utter a single word upon hearing this. It was so damn shocking. I was thinking of my school days. I am a proud KVian. Thanks to my parents who enrolled me in the largest networked organization in the world. If I remember it right, my shcool fees used to be Rs. 15 per month during upto fifth standard. I think during that time, they went for hike or so. The fee was increased to Rs. 45 per month. The last fees I paid when I was in standard XII was Rs. 600 odd for a term (i.e., 3 months). It has been 6 and a half years since I passed out of school.
I don't think KV would have changed much. When I go my school even now, it gives me an adrenaline rush, just because of the fact that I was fortunate enough to be a part of this great organization. Let's see the present scenario.
I am here in North India since 2.5 years. I used to stay in the company-provided-accomodation, near to which there is a KV. Whenever I see the gate, it used to remind me of my own KV, KV Thrissur. I even wanted to visit the KV once.
Upon further enquiry and interaction with lot of other people, what I came to understand was not really very heartening. KVs are not at all reverred here in North India. KV is considered to be just another 'sarkaari school'. I am yet to meet a person whose kid is studying in KV. The people are not to be blamed for this. For the pereception to be formed and instilled in the common man's mind, there would have been certain premises.
The common observations or concerns of parents are that KVs do not provide quality education as other private schools. The teachers are not committed etc. etc. Because of these very reasons, the common man makes all his effort, makes the 'aahuti' of his entire salary for the education of his kids. The average expense incurred, if the guy has enrolled his school in a 'decent' enough school in Gurgaon is nothing less than 3500 rupees. Mind you, it is 3500 rupees. So, for an year it comes out to be around 35,000 plus other expenses including donations and fees to various clubs at school. So, at the end of the year, it would be nothing less than 40,000 to 45,000 rupees. Imagine if the guy wants to enroll his kid in the 'best' shool in town. Calculate for yourself the situation wherein he has two or three kids. He would literally be fucked up!!!
I tell you, I haven't paid this huge amount even during my graduation from one of the best institutes in the country. I have to thank god for the opportunities he has given me. I used to get shocked when some of the diploma holders working under me, used to tell that they do not want to enroll for a full time B.Tech programme as it is a very costly affair, the annual fees being something around 50~60,000 rupees. But, now I can realize the gravity of the situation and the truth behind all these statements.
Just take a look at the fees for 'M.B.B.S' courses. A guy needs to have at leat 6 lacs to become a doctor. This is irrespective of the fact whether it is North India or South India. Now the situation is that, a guy who has money power can become a doctor, and only he can become. How are doctors not justified in charging hefty compensation as their consultation fee?? At least they would try to break even in the initial years.
But, there are many people staying in my hometown who have enrolled their kids in government schools and pay a very nominal amount as the school fees. And there are government schools other than the KVs, which provide good quality education. I doubt whether this is a phenomenon restricted to South India or is it the other way round- is high cost of school education inherent to this part of North India?? I am yet to explore this fact. Even my cousin studing in one of the best schools in Kolkata also pays a very huge amount as his monthly fee, which gives me an indication that high costs are not restricted to north India only.
With such high costs of educaiton, where are we heading to?? Can every child get quality education. By simply implementing noon-meals and some non-functioning schemes will not make a difference in the current situation. Nor will increasing the number of IITs and IIMs would help. I am unable to figure out one thing: How does increasing seats in graduation and post graduation and other elite courses help to better the educational standards of our country as a whole?? How can we ensure that every child learns to read, write and learn a trade or a vocation so that he leads a peaceful and comfortable life.? There is an endless list of questions which are unanswered.
