Should management quota for admission in schools be scrapped?

Should management quota for admission in schools be scrapped?

Introduction:

AAP had called off the management quota for admission in nursery at private schools without any permission from the Lieutenant Governor. The management quota is under the guidelines of Justice Ganguly Committee. Delhi state government scrapped the management quota for admission in nursery at private schools that are non-aided by the government which led to a scuffle with the schools.

AAP explains its argument by saying that transparency in education system could be brought only if these quotas are done away with at the earliest. Along with the management quota Delhi government also took it to themselves to scrap 62-point assessment criteria in private schools.

Recently, Delhi High Court stayed AAP’s order for scrapping the management quota clarifying that the action was taken in haste without following the authority of law. Scrapping management quota is a move that was well received by some while it angered schools and some people who thought that the government had no rights to intervene in private school’s matter.

Yes:

1. Transparency: No management quota would mean clarity in the admission system where people could actually find out if seats are available in the schools in which they are seeking admission of their ward or are given off within the covers of management quota. Top notch schools in the capital city are in for a rush during admission sessions. Parents in large numbers are baffled throughout the process of queuing for forms to getting their ward selected for admission and the quota system only makes it a nightmare.

2. Meritorious children don’t get through: Through management quota, all influential people grab seats for their wards at good schools where common men don’t secure a place for their meritorious children despite doing well in the entrance tests. Discrimination at such a tender age leaves a mark on the minds of children, which only grows as they ascend the steps in life and career. Some extraordinarily talented kids who deserve the best of education don’t get admission in good schools owing to the management quota system.

3. Rules compromised: While the school openly declare that the admission will be solely on the basis of merit, the children under management quota do not have to go through all the procedures of entrance and personal interview tests that are now mandatory in all schools. In the name of quota, more than 20% of the seats are booked for the children of influential people including politicians. The schools compromise on rules and children of ordinary people have everything to lose.

4. Misuse of quota: The 20% management quota is misused to a great extent. Politicians, bureaucrats, and powerful people pay bribe and secure a good number of seats for their children. Many parents are distressed with this corrupt practice in education system. Common people will have access to not just 20% seats if the quota is scrapped but far more than that. The alumni, siblings, and management quota conquer 75% of the total seats as reported by Delhi government.

5. Morally incorrect: Management and other quotas for admission at such a tender stage of life is morally detrimental. What are we teaching children by all these shrewdness? Are we telling them that being born to the ‘General’ category and to parents who aren’t politicians or bureaucrats is a big mistake for which they will always be kept away from prestigious facilities like availing basic education to begin with and later for higher studies and jobs?

No:

1. Unnecessary interference: The private schools are not aided or funded by government in any way hence the government gets no right to implement rules of its own without following proper procedure on these schools. These private schools are autonomous bodies that have their own board of law makers. The government could only suggest or direct these schools to make changes in the existing norms and not scrap the system on their own will. AAP took it on them to force these schools to follow orders of the CM expected them to do as said.

2. The pathetic condition of government run schools: Instead of trying so hard to impose rules on schools that don’t get funded by the government in any way, focus should be shifted to government run schools that are in pathetic condition. If education system for the poor and common men is to be improved, AAP should be trying to improve the unlawful proceedings of the government schools where teachers don’t pay heed to children and students have no regards for the teacher. They do not have basic infrastructure and lack facilities for modern education to which the government does absolutely nothing. Free education for poor is not of any importance unless quality education is being imparted.

3. For higher education too: If the Delhi government is so concerned about transparency in education system and wants to eradicate the management quota system for good, the rules must also apply for higher education. Why couldn’t the government impose such rules at educational institutes for admission at graduate and post graduate levels? Is it because the government is just creating vote bank by sympathizing with common people and wouldn’t do the same at higher levels for the fear of displeasing influential people under management quota?

4. How do you test genius at such a tender age? Children below 5 years cannot be selected based on merits. Not every child is a born genius. Testing them on their knowledge and activity is also discernment of a kind. The not-so-active children could be ones who could grow up to be genius if shown the right direction with the help of good educational amenities.

Conclusion:

The management quota or any quota for that matter being scraped will be a welcome move by common people of the ‘general’ category. However, the government is simply confining the scrapping to admission in nursery schools which makes no sense at all since these children will grow up to face discrimination at higher levels when their efforts will me much more and susceptibility of rejection high. If the government truly cares about transparency in education system, we would like to see it impose such rules on the entire education system.

Before throwing stones at the private schools, the Delhi government must first check its own glass castle. They are supposed to “set their own house in order” as suggested by Delhi High court instead of trying to take over the admission procedures at private unaided schools. As for the backdoor entry in education system, it will prevail as long as all the reservations and quota are intact.