Ludhiana, January 16
Twenty-three-year-old Sunita has developed insomnia. She has lost appetite and is full of anxiety. Sunita, who was known for her sweet nature, is generally short tempered these days. She is not suffering from any disease.
She is highly strung up for her son, Sumedh, age three plus, is seeking admission in lower kindergarten of one of the top schools here. She says,” I want my son to go to ‘that’ school only for my friend’s kids are already studying in that school. But I know that getting admission in flat school is tough. My friends say they knew some influential persons and hence their children got admission in that school. My husband does not know anyone. What will happen to my kid? If my child does not get admission in that school, I will be ruined as it is a matter of prestige for me.”
Her husband, Naresh, is flummoxed at her neurotic behaviour as she is always cursing him these days for he does not know any influential person who could put in a word for their child. He says,” “Ludhiana has so many good schools. I am sure he would get admission in a good school, but my wife’s obsession with one particular school is turning her neurotic and ruining our married life.”
January and February are cruel months for young parents whose kids have to get admission in so-called prestigious schools of the city. They get their children admitted to some preparatory schools. That they could learn basics and shed off inhibition of strangers so that when they appear for an interview, they are confident.
In spite of cold weather, parents are making their children take rounds of various schools so that they become familiar with these schools. They are busy teaching them names of vegetables, flowers and fruits. Rupinder, who reflects typical Ludhiana mentality, is ready to pay donation to get his daughter admitted to a convent school. He says,” A convent-educated girl gets a better match? Parents are making every effort to establish contacts in order to ensure admission of their kids the schools of their choice.
Prabhat and his wife, Nimita, say,” We have filled admission forms in several schools. Admission tests are on different dates. We are nervous. We want our kid to go to the best school. The most perplexing thing is that we do not know the criteria of selection. Parents are giving the best of attention and knowledge to their children. Can’t these schools have a lottery system for admission?”
Dr Ravinder Kala, a counsellor and psychologist, says,” “Parents are suffering from anxiety due to admissions. They discuss the issue with others and are often misled by wrong suggestions. Like a man was told since he does not own a car, his child will not get admission in a particular school, as they only take children whose parents have latest model cars.”
She advises parents neither to be too casual, nor to be too anxious. She says,” Don’t make your child tense by always talking about questions to be asked at the interview. Try to make the child feel comfortable by encouraging him.
School authorities, too, try to make children feel comfortable by offering sweets etc. If the child does not get selected, do not curse him and have confidence in yourself and your child.”
