For any parent, his or her child’s education is the prime concern. But the ever-increasing school fees are putting a strain on monthly budgets, causing all-round discontent and standoffs between institutions and parents. The only offshoot of the system that remains unaffected, and is indeed growing, is the ubiquitous coaching centre. One can find tutors today even for international education boards whose aim was to do away with them. Is this just a passing phase or here to stay? TOI takes a look

 

Jaipur: The term ‘good education’ has become a very subjective term in the fast changing world. Advancement in technology and teaching methodologies has made education a costly affair. 

   

The consistent rise in school fees, in some cases annually, forces parents to cut costs. As in any state capital, Jaipur has a wide range of schools. On the one end, it has corporate-run schools that offer luxurious facilities and charge anywhere between Rs 2 lakh to 4 lakh a year. On the other end are government-aided schools, which, owing to lack of funds, usually focus on the curriculum and charge a nominal fee of Rs 250 a month. And in between lie a majority of schools that are neither too swanky nor too austere, with a fee range of Rs 10,000 to Rs 60,000 lakh per annum. Elite school fees are hidden from none. However, the fees of the schools in-between are a bone of contention for parents. In the past three years, confrontations between school managements and parents over fee hike gave rise to ugly scenes. In 2009, the situation almost went out of control and government had to intervene by forming Bhaskar Sawant Committee to regulate private school fees. 

 

Conflicts such as these particularly began erupting when the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission were implemented in 2009. The commission awarded a 6% salary hike to teachers and demanded that schools also give arrears for the past five years. It further asked that retired teachers be paid their pension as per the new rules. 

 

Schools argue that they have to upgrade infrastructure and install technologies at regular intervals so they need to increase their fees. “A school usually charges fees to churn out a decent surplus to plough it back into the school,” says Damodar Goyal, president of Society for Private Non-Aided Schools in Rajasthan. 

 

Yet there are many who don’t see the picture quite the same way. “Education is like a moneymaking business now. There are no ethics or rules. Parents are so helpless that they can’t even question the management,” says Rajeev Gupta, president, parents teachers association. 

 

STUDENTS & CLASSES

 

The quality of education has improved over the years with the changing teaching methodologies and advancement in technology. It puts lesser pressure on students. Nowadays, studies have become more interactive with minimal homework. Lata Rawat | PRINCIPAL, CAMBRIDGE COURT HIGH SCHOOL

 

The changing social dynamics have brought about a sea change in the thinking of children. With the advent of internet followed by social media, their knowledge has become diverse. In this scenario, teachers, students and parents are all learners.Sandeep Bakshi | CHANCELLOR, JAIPUR NATIONAL UNIVERSITY

 

Since employability has become the criteria of good education, the education system has become more competitive. international boards are showing keen interest in India by offering sound educational system, promising to be different from existing ones 

Prof Vijay Veer Singh

 

There were several attempts to contain coaching classes; a policy was also drafted, but it never made it to the Assembly, reflecting the power the coaching class lobby enjoys. But if there’s a will, there can be a way of getting them to function in a better manner Prof Rajiv Gupta | HEAD OF DEPARTMENT, SOCIOLOGY, RU