Parents feel the heat as nursery admission season draws near

As schools are increasingly laying emphasis on the child’s background,well-groomed parents score a few extra brownie points.

Schools like Carmel Convent,Sacred Heart,Vivek High,Strawberry Fields,St John’s and St Anne’s will be shortly announcing the dates of admission and application forms for nursery and kindergarten classes will be available off the counters.

While kids have been spared the trouble of writing an admission test and reciting poems,it is the parents who have to face the music.

“I will be applying in all the good schools and more than our daughter,it is we who are preparing for the final day. It is a known fact that more than the child’s intellect,it is the parents’ knowledge and awareness that counts,” says Rubina Singh,a mother of a tiny-tot.

“When I sought admission for my son in a well-known school last year,I was categorically told by authorities that we will be interviewed by a panel of experts. We will be undergoing the same interview session this year as well for my daughter’s admission,” said Sanjeev Sehrawat,a parent.

Punita Singh,counsellor,Carmel Convent School,justifies the admission procedure.

“We do stress upon the environment a child comes from,though it is not the sole criteria. A one-on-one session is held with parents to form a bond with them and know more about the child.”

From educational qualifications of parents,their financial status to their vocation,schools do a thorough scrutiny of these facets before a child is granted admission.

Parents are asked questions about their family background,upbringing of the child to their areas of interests.

As far as ‘checking’ the bank balance of parents is concerned,schools reason that it is to make sure they can afford the fee.

“We have to ensure that the child will be able to adjust in the school’s surroundings. It is not an exercise meant to demean parents,” says a teacher from Vivek High School.