Parents up in arms over donation

BELGAUM: The donation menace for admissions to primary schools is haunting the parents, again. Those who are capable are relenting to the demands of the school management,while others are approaching different schools to explore chances of getting seats there within their budget.
The education department, which is aware of these developments, has been the mute spectator so far, the parents say.After the government cracked the whip on schools violating language policy, there has been a rise in demand for seats in the recognised schools following which such schools began to make the most of the situation.
Besides English-medium schools, Kannada-and Marathi-medium schools, managed by private managements, are also calling the shots.
Donation for admissions for kindergarten classes has rose to a minimum of Rs 15,000 in recognised schools. In the previous year, it was Rs 3,000-5,000.
Determined against comprising on the career of their wards, the parents are heeding the demands of the school management, thus burning a hole in their pockets. Many aggrieved parents denied complaining to the education department on the schools, with the only hope that at least one school may oblige.
"We have given verbal complaints to the education department. But none of them cared to take the schools to task," one of the parents said.
One such parent, Ramesh, taking exception to "education mafia", alleged the schools of en cashing the emotions of parents. "Of the schools that are fleecing the parents, majority are aided ones. The inaction by those in the education department speaks much about their connivance with the school management," he alleged.
Officials of the education department, when contacted, were not available for comment. Now it has to be seen whether the department acts to set the things right or dances to the tunes of the school managements.