Middle-class parents whose wards are taking their first little steps towards getting an education are breaking into a cold sweat.
Middle-class parents whose wards are taking their first little steps towards getting an education are breaking into a cold sweat. The inflated donations and fees sought by pre-primary schools in the city are burning a rather large hole in their pockets.
With no government regulation of the sector, parents allege that the fees sought are unreasonable. Pravin Makwana*, a resident of Borivli and father of a three-year-old girl, said, “I want to give my daughter the best possible education, but I am unable to do so. Prominent schools in my area are demanding huge sums as donation along with monthly and other fees.”
According to him, schools in Kandivli and Borivli are demanding donations ranging from Rs10,000 to Rs60,000.
Makwana is not alone in his quest for the ideal yet affordable school. “I made enquiries for my daughter a year ago,” said Aarti Mohite, a resident of Andheri. “I know the practice of collecting donations exists and have earmarked some amount for my daughter’s admission.”
But Jayant Jain, president of the Forum for Fairness in Education, an NGO fighting on behalf of parents against malpractices in schools, refuses to believe that nothing can be done. “Parents can file an FIR against schools that demand donations,” he said. “An arrest has to be made within 30 days of filing an FIR. They can also seek help from our organisation and conduct stings.”
According to Jain, parents should demand receipts for every payment made and produce them as proof. “Unless more parents take the initiative, schools will keep demanding donations,” he said.
*Name changed on request
Send your queries regarding nursery admissions to education@dnaindia.net and we will get experts in child development to provide solutions. Our experts are Nitya Ramaswamy, Kidzee, and Dr Samir Dalwai, developmental paediatrician.
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