The New Graduates

On graduation day Manit Sarup is dressed traditionally in a flowing black gown,a ceremonial cap and a glow of pride. His mother wiped a tear and his father snapped photographs as Sarup walked up to the dais to receive his citation scroll from the chief guest.

On graduation day Manit Sarup is dressed traditionally in a flowing black gown,a ceremonial cap and a glow of pride. His mother wiped a tear and his father snapped photographs as Sarup walked up to the dais to receive his citation scroll from the chief guest. Its a scene that could have been set in any university across the world,except that Sarup is all of four-years-old and the convocation marked his passing out of Kindergarten into Class I at Kangaroo Kids,Vasant Kunj. It was a cute ceremony. As a parent,I felt happy. I am not sure that Manit knew what was happening but the smile wasnt leaving his face and that was priceless. A teacher read out something about him before he went on stage and it made us very emotional, says his father Sundresh. In several pre-schools of Delhi now,convocation ceremonies for young children are one of the biggest events of the academic calendar.

Modern School,Barakhamba,for instance,started convocations for pre-schoolers last year. The children complete their pre-school and enter the elementary school. I think they realise what is happening around them and feel more responsible. When parents see their young men and women walk up to the stage under the spotlight,it is just beautiful, says Lata Vaidyanathan,Principal,Modern School,adding that the school also holds graduation ceremonies for students who pass their Class XII.

Anju Uppal,Principal of Ryan International,Vasant Kunj,claims that her school pioneered the trend a few years ago. As an educationist,I feel proud when kids receive these citations, she says.

Apart from the function in school,a convocation ceremony includes trimmings like photographs,the entire paraphernalia including the gown and cap,all of which comes with a price tag. Many schools hire the dresses from fancy dress shops. Rent for a robe is around Rs 250 per day while a cap comes for Rs 100 daily, says Rajiv Malhotra of Allied Party Shop,Khan Market. However,if you are planning to buy the set,be prepared to shell out Rs 700.

While most parents and principals are upbeat about convocation ceremonies,there are also sceptics who arent convinced. There is a level of solemnity attached to the convocation when a child graduates at 21. Having graduation ceremonies for young children is a charade and the schools are simply cashing in on parents, says Dr Natasha W Vashisht,a lecturer whose four-year-old son studies at Banyan Tree,Lodhi Road.

Dr Sarvesh Naidu,Director,Pathways World School says I feel the ceremony is a landmark for the child. The fact that he is leaving primary school and entering middle school is aspirational. Also parents tell us how much they enjoy it because they never had anything like this in their time.

Vashisht demurs,In India,education and parenting are being increasingly modelled on western practices. Childhood is associated with fun and play. These ceremonies put a lot of unneccesary pressure on the child,all because parents want to show off the photos on social networking sites.

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But Anu Malhotra,Principal,Kangaroo Kids,Vasant Kunj,reiterates,It gives confidence and a positive reinforcement to children who have been sheltered in their Kindergarten years. I look at it as a preparation and celebration of a new milestone.

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