Private Schools: Shrines Of Education Or Exploitation?

It is sad to see that the state of education is getting worse day by day and this is happening in private schools that were begun by the very people who swore to uplift country’s literacy rate. They appear on TV trying to excuse themselves with vague explanations on why they have seen it fit to make certain changes in their institutions. But unfortunately for them, the general public is not fooled by their sugarcoated speeches. Take for instance the rise in fees. Principals, who have become adept at finding reasons for a fee hike, inform parents that there will be an increase citing the rise in government employees’ salary. But quite contrarily the teachers who are truly the main support of any school don’t even see the increase of a rupee in their salary. And if they demand a rise, the management prefers to get rid of their old staff despite the years of their services. So, their termination on one pretext or other turns out to be the final act of regard for those past years of hard work and sacrifice.

Similarly, fees for twelve months is a necessary because full time teachers and staff must be paid but extras like bus fares and fees for computer classes should not be taken for periods when such services have not been provided. Parents whose wards are in the final stage of completing school find it very hard to get back the refundable money they gave as deposit during admission. I also know of a student was qualified to take part in a martial arts competition to be held in Moscow some five years ago. All the expenses were borne by his parents and the jubilant boy come home with a glittering gold medal and a certificate, which were kept by the school authority. But there are no sings of his trophies being returned to him even after so many years. So the bottom line seems to be clear. Isn’t that an act of exploitation?

Kanchan Shrestha
Handigaun, Kathmandu

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