A minimum of 300% rise is being noticed in prospectus sold off by various public schools for giving admissions in Nursery and KG classes between a period of 2000 to 2008 and on an average each parent is selling out a sum of Rs.5000 for buying such prospectus, hoping admissions for their tiny tots.

In around 2000, leading public schools in Delhi would normally sell off prospectus, containing details about admission processes in their respective schools for a sum of Rs.300. In 2008, one prospectus costs parents roughly Rs.1000, according to findings of the ASSOCHAM Social Development Foundation (ASDF).

Parents on an average are selling out a minimum sum of Rs.5,000 on their single child for buying prospectus. Obviously, for 2 children, the sum spent on buying prospectus doubles up, says the Mr. D S Rawat, ASSOCHAM Secretary General. The cost of prospectus for nursery and KGs is costlier than the prospectus sold off by reputed management, engineering and chartered accountant institutions which really provide qualitative education.

According to estimates made by ASDF, in Delhi alone good public schools are likely to earn revenues by selling prospectus to an extent of Rs.5,000 crore. This is absolutely a conservative estimate based on finding of ASSOCHAM, added Mr. Rawat pointing out that this is despite the Delhi government directives to school management to have standardized prospectus at a uniform price. This directive is being violated which is unfortunate, added the Secretary General ASSOCHAM.

The ASSOCHAM Social Development Foundation further points out that generally parents do not refuse to buy prospectus as these contain important details about admission procedure along with the admission forms. Now, with more schools starting the sale of forms, parents can't help but shell out more. Many parents also believe it wise to buy the forms of as many schools as possible to secure admission for their wards.

Single parent keep aside around Rs 4,000/- to 5,000/- to apply in at least 10-12 schools so that at the end of the day, their child is enrolled in one of the schools of their choices as majority of parents can't afford to miss out a chance.

Most of Parents feel that selling out Rs.5000 on buying prospectus pinches them the most as there is no certainty that their child will eventually get through that school. "It's like a wild shot. They have to unwillingly pay for the prospectus and a CD on the school curriculum in two schools even when they are almost sure that their child would not get admission there”.

These days prospectus are made fancy with lot of unwanted reading materials as the intention of the schools is to make prospectus voluminous to attract good pricing.
Increasingly rising school admission form in most of privately managed schools in large cities including metros have deterred even well to do young parents.

The Chamber has not only opposed escalation in cost of prospectus but it is equally against proposed fee hike move in public schools which is likely to be within the range of 40%.

The ASSOCHAM feels that at times when economy is on doldrums, downsizing in corporate world is on peak and people are loosing jobs and inflation continues to push up prices of all essential commodities, it would be extremely unfair to raise the fee as it would put most of the parents under severe pressures.
Mr. Rawat said that majority of school management boards have referred to the 6th Pay Commission hike as one of the reasons for tuition fee hike which is totally unjustified as majority of the workforce is engaged in unorganized sector and is not at all beneficiary to pay hike.

Parents, however, complain that education is now being run like a commercial business enterprise. The high tuition fees no more justify the services offered at schools and the erratic fee hike effected each year by management of schools.

An estimated over 30 million children are now educated in private schools, with fees usually rising well above inflation. Parents have to spend sleepless nights worrying about how they are going to pay for what their child needs simply to go to school. It is hitting their budget very hard and potentially having a direct impact on children’s schooling. Parents are especially concerned about schools that put pressure on parents to make so-called ‘voluntary’ contributions.”

Source: ASSOCHAM 

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Government Must Regulate School Admissions
written by Sujata Madhok, June 11, 2009

How interesting that Assocham should oppose the extortionate hike in school prospectus fees! There is need for more government regulation of the education sector to prevent such exploitation of parents. Both school and college level education needs more checks and controls to ensure quality education with reasonable charges. The whole sector is a mess.

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Education at Sale
written by Rajesha, December 16, 2008

It is a pity that education concepts have changed so drastically that everybody think that getting into a big institutes only gets you good education. We had done our Complete Engineering course for less than Rs. 20000. Now a days, that money isn't sufficient for KG class or a Nursary for 1 year. Indian Govt. should bring in some norms here before things go out of control / reach.

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