M A I L B A G

Extend SC fiat on schools to colleges

Apropos of the editorial “Centres of profit” (April 29), the Supreme Court judgement directing the Delhi Government to regulate fee being charged by the private schools in Delhi will go a long way in redressing the grievances of the common man. While concurring with your views to extend the guidelines to all private schools in India, I impress upon the need to bring all private colleges, engineering institutes and universities into the purview of the judgement.

In fact, mushrooming of private educational institutions can be traced back to the utter neglect of the government-run institutions. Dilapidated buildings, lack of funds and infrastructure, deficiency of teachers etc., have all brought the education system to a virtual collapse, forcing the students to seek asylum in private institutions.

Allured by easy money, private institutions have made education a domain of the rich. Lavish spending by these institutions, the palatial buildings and frequent lavish dinners hosted by them in honour of politicians and VVIPs, speak of the inside story. The exploitation of the students can be gauged by the fact that several institutions charge the students even for the attestation of their certificates!

Dr A.K. THUKRAL, Professor, Botanical and Env. Sciences, GND University, Amritsar

II

In the name of providing quality education, private schools have an exorbitant fee structure which inter alia also widens the psychological gap between the citizens which is contrary to our national requirements. Moreover, when such private schools (better say the modern education shops) avail themselves of government land at concessional rates, they ought to fulfill their societal obligations.

I feel the condition of their taking poor children free on the rolls is a restrictive one. After all, what is the fault of children coming from the middle income groups whose parents are being pinched hard by unreasonable fee and other allowances? Moreover, why such private schools charge Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 as admission fee every year besides a four-figure tuition fee every month when they hardly pay Rs 3,000 to their teachers?

The exploitation of teachers in such schools is another factor which, perhaps, is more shameful for us because if the educated block is so vulnerable to professional exploitation, then how would we expect them to provide justice to common people? In some schools, teachers work for a meagre pay of Rs 1,000 and many others sign for higher pay while getting low. Hence, the Supreme Court judgement is a landmark. Unless the teachers and parents rise to the occasion, the judgement would have no force.

M.P.S. CHADHA, Chandigarh

III

The Supreme Court verdict will check the designs of the private schools. These schools not only charge hefty fee from the students but also charge a huge capitation fee in the form of donation at the time of admission. If the enforcement of the judgement is monitored strictly, it will discourage commercialisation of education and save hapless parents from the avaricious designs of the school managements.

This judgement should be made applicable throughout the country. Besides, it is time Article 30 (1) of the Constitution, which gives all minorities the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice, was amended suitably to check managing committees’ style of running educational institutions according to their whims and fancies.

RAM PARKASH KHANNA, Dharmashala

IV

The Supreme Court has done a signal service by directing the government to regulate the fee structure of Delhi’s private schools. Sadly, a noble mission like education has been devalued by the so-called self-styled contractors of education. Owing to lack of governmental control over these schools, most schools not only charge hefty fee but also make a mockery of social justice.

Students and parents are exploited in many ways. Most private schools, besides milching money from students, pay low salaries to teachers. Like a coin, education is projected as having two sides. When it comes to snatching subsidies, charity and allied concessions, the manipulators call this profession as an opportunity to serve the masses. And when it comes to earning money, all heinous methods are use to exploit the gullible people.

ANUP K. GAKKHAR, Jalandhar City

A bitter experience I wish to narrate a sad experience I had during a visit to Amritsar’s Golden Temple on April 11 as part of a visit to India. When I visited, there was a huge line of people waiting to get in, with an estimated waiting time of several hours. I went to the temple office to complain about the wait in the hot sun and a Sevadar led me to another entrance where I did not have to wait. I took out some Indian currency from my pocket to make a donation of Rs 1,000, which was observed by the Sevadar. This individual then appeared to communicate something to another individual which I did not note in detail. Immediately upon leaving the temple, I found my pocket had been picked and all my money had gone. I returned to Sevadar who proved most unhelpful in resolving the matter. There is no doubt in my mind that the Sevadar was acting in league with a professional pick-pocket to prey on unwary devotees but I did not have enough evidence to bring him to book. This kind of activity is a blot on the sanctity and holiness of the Golden Temple. GURPAL SINGH, Vacaville, CA (USA)

No sample paper yet

The preliminary all-India PMT test has already been held this year. The main test will be held on May 16. There has been a change in the pattern of the examination this year. However, the CBSE has so far not issued any sample paper for the main test on its website for the benefit of the students. To guide the students, it would be better if the CBSE issues a sample paper of the main all-India PMT test.

PRAVEEN KUMAR, Panchkula

Part-time business

What is the new part-time business of our film stars? The answer is campaigning for elections.

KARUN SAINI, Bartana