30 Sep–6 Oct 2011
C ivic/Social
13
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Moolah matters
If you want to send your child to a boarding school, be get ready to shell out a hefty amount. Any boarding school in Gurgaon costs about Rs 4 to 5 lakh annually; and if you are thinking of Pathways Aravali, then get ready to spend at least Rs 5 lakh per annum. Though the status at day schools is different, it doesn’t provide much respite to a middle class citizen. Goyal, who did not reveal the amount, said, “Among all the international day schools, our fee is the most affordable; but yes, it is not in the domain of a lower middle class family.” However, Gurgaon still has affordable schools with good education, and Chiranjivi Bharti School is one of them. “My fee here is Rs 6,000 for three months, and my brother is in Blue Bells; my father pays around 21,000 quarterly on his fee,” said Pradeep Kumar, a student. Kaul reaffirms this, “Our fee is very af-
they stress hard on training. “There is a lot of competition amongst schools everywhere. A school ought to have good teachers to establish itself as a competitor,” said Nidhi Maan, an M. Tech from IIT Delhi, and a teacher in Chiranjiv Bharti School.
Activities on campus
This is where the real difference lies, between the boarding and day schools. “As far as activities are concerned, boarding schools are way ahead of day schools. Apart from the studies and games in the evening, there are many activities that create a bond, and a sense of camaraderie, among the students. In a day school, most activity is over once the school hours end,” said Bali. “Though nowadays, even good day schools have games like cricket, basketball, horseriding, golf, swimming, the real difference is the life our students live—from the very start of the day. Students wake up around 6:30 am, and they attend school from 9 am to 3 pm. This is when the life in a day school gets over.
From 5 pm to 6:30 pm, we have a sports session. Dinner is served at 8 pm. They are constantly encouraged to discuss issues related to their studies, and campus life. Life in a boarding school provides an opportunity for a child to become independent,” she added.
Does tuition help?
People who advocate not sending wards to boarding schools, often claim that regular tuition after school hours can help the student in the same way, as it does in the boarding school. But Nita Bali doesn’t buy this theory, “Tuitions can’t provide the environment necessary for proper grooming. Boarding schools are not all about studies; they are far more than that. Here we provide a great environment to a student, without exposing him to the outer world.” However, Kusum Khurana rejects these claims of a suitable environment, “ Tuition helps immensely. We spend Rs 3,000 per month on Accounts and Economics tuitions for our son. Though PRAKHAR PANDEY
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later in life. Here we prepare global citizens,” said Bali.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITY: Students of Pathways World School, during a basketball practice session
financially it’s a huge burden, especially after paying a hefty amount as school fee, at least our child is with us.”
Beyond books
Nowadays, education is not confined to books and classrooms. Most of the schools in the city— boarding or day—focus on the education outside classrooms. “Here we have amenities for children—like swimming pool, horse riding, golf, tennis, football, and many other games. We have separate coaches for each game. We want to give the child an all-round exposure,” added Goyal. Of course, day schools also have extra-cur-
CUE IT RIGHT: Young pool enthusiasts from Pathways World School, enjoy the game in their free time
fordable, and we provide quality education.” The hidden cost, especially for day schools, lies in private tuitions. And sometimes this cost, in higher classes, can match or exceed the school fee!
Teachers: backbone
Institution’s
Teachers are the backbone of any educational institution. Be it boarding schools or day schools, teachers are equally important. “We select our teachers after a gruelling interview, and our students’ opinion also matters when it comes to the renewal of the contract of a teacher,” said Sumit Dargan, the Principal, Pathways. Not only Pathways, but all schools boast of having a well qualified, and experienced, teaching staff. “Teachers are directly proportional to the success of school; and our teachers are highly trained and experienced. Our management selects them after various rounds of interviews,” said Goyal. Teachers too, are aware of the great competition between the schools for better results; and that’s why
ricular activities. “Along with sports, we also focus on extra curricular activities like debate, plays. For example, today our students are staging Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice in the auditorium,” explained Kaul. For centuries, our ancestors have been telling us that education is the only asset that can’t be snatched or stolen from you. How true they were; and in today’s world of cut-throat competition in every sphere of life, it is even more important. Your child’s education is your first priority, because he or she deserves the best, to excel in the never-ending hunt for success. u
Food Take
As of September 28, 2011 All Prices in Rs/kg.
Area/ vegetables
HUDA Sector 14
Palam Vihar
South City 1
DLF City Phase 5
Sadar Bazar
Sushant Lok 1
Safal
Reliance Fresh
Potato (old/new)
15/20
20/25
7/18
12 / 24
8 / 16
10/16
9.90
7.50/15
Onion
20
20
18
28
15
25
18.90
20
Tomato
20
20
18
25/32
20 – 35
25
18.90
20
Cucumber
20
32
24
40
26
25
26
24
Apples
80 -150
80 - 100
80 – 100
80 - 160
90 –100
80
89
120 – 50
Spinach
25
32
30
40
28
35
34
30
Ladies’ finger
40
40
36
48
34
45
36
36
Cauliflower
60
70
60
70
50
50
60
60
Mutton
280 – 300
280 – 300
320
280 – 300
280
280
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Chicken
150 –160
140 – 150
160 – 170
140
140
140
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