Chandigarh emerges as region hub for admission to entry-level classes

The City Beautiful holds the same level of craze among region’s parents for getting their wards admitted to entry-level classes as the US, UK, Canada, Australia or New Zealand hold for students looking to pursue higher education, if the response to the recent admission process in an indication.

As the process for admission to private schools in the city draws to a close, the craze of parents to ensure seats for their wards here is beyond imagination. It’s not only the ‘Chandigarh’ effect that is at play, but the management of some leading local private schools also claiming to putting in ‘extra’ effort in nurturing kids. Not only from Chandigarh, but people from other states, especially Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, have shown a keen interest in local schools.

For this academic session, majority of schools offered 100-120 seats, including reserved seats. Nearly, 1,500 applicants applied at each institution on an average. Some schools that have below 100 seats also received a similar response.

“We have been the only school (barring Delhi) providing education from Montessori level. In the last few years, Chandigarh has turned into an education hub for students who want to have a good and professional start. The outcome can clearly be seen in parents’ satisfaction and children’s performance at different levels,” said HS Mamik, Chairman, Vivek High School, Sector 38.

Govt schools preferred for higher secondary classes

While private schools are popular at the entry level, the government schools are considered best for higher secondary classes.

The nominal fee at the government schools helps parents save some money that they can shell out for private coaching classes.

The trend in Chandigarh is based on getting good education in the initial

classes and later opting for financial planning for higher secondary classes.

“The young parents looking for schools here are well educated and aware of the kind of rounded education they want for their children. This expectation inspires us to raise the bar for ourselves. While schools are quick to adopt the right taglines, we have been stressing on the warmth of personal engagement by the staff that sets our school apart,” added Atul Khanna, Director, Strawberry Fields School.

Despite the fact that the local private schools are most sought after no new school has come up here after 2005 even as there has been an increase in the city’s population.

“The implementation of the Right To Education (RTE) Act in 2012, resulting in 25 per cent of seats getting reserved for EWS/DG categories, and no increase in the school infrastructure resulted in constricting the intake from 100 per cent in general category to 75,” said Gupreet Baskhi, Chief Administrator, St Kabir School.

He added, “No new private school has opened in Chandigarh after 2005 and increase in population without increase in the capacities at schools has resulted in the data being skewed further. We strive at the policy of ‘Student First’ and on overall development of children.”

“I feel that the popularity of our school is primarily due to the fact that our ethos and teaching-learning environment are such that a truly holistic milieu is created for every student. We ensure optimal utilisation of our students’ true potential and capabilities,” said Vineeta Arora, Director Education-Principal, Bhavan Vidyalaya School.

High demand leads to ‘higher’ fee

Despite the fact that ‘education’ comes at a cost, the parents’ have no objection in shelling out a good amount of money. “My entire family lives in Cheeka (Haryana) and I have shifted here after my son got admission in a Chandigarh school. We don’t have schools of this level in our town and the nearest option is in Patiala. For the better future of my ward, I have got a rented accommodation,” said Priya.

A local parent said, “Recently, people from other states expressed more interest in private schools, which has put these in demand. In addition, the prospectus fee is as nominal as Rs 150 and parents apply in multiple schools, which lead to an increase in the number of applications. No doubt, the children are getting better education and vast exposure, but other factors also account for demand for admission,” said Shubham Rana.

“The level of education has surely gone up recently and every parent wants their ward to get quality tutoring. There’s no doubt that the city is having some of the finest schools in the country and they are giving their best,” said Dr Niyati Chitkara, Director, Chitkara International School, Sector 25.

On an average, the monthly fee (paid quarterly) at leading private schools range from 6,000 to 8,000 per child (except the one-time admission fee).