Nowadays, Private Schools and Government Schools
These days, the school scene has also taken things to a whole new level. On one hand, there are private schools, school comms and “five-star hotels” that are very similar, and on the other hand, there are our government schools, where live training in life skills is available.
1. Fees vs. Benefits.
Private schools: Hearing their fees, the old days of ‘selling kidneys’ become old. The child is in a nursery and the fees are as much as NASA scientists take.
The only facilities are beautiful gardens where the plants are watered in the morning and evening.
Govt schools: They have their own swag. The fees are so low that you can get admission for all the children of the entire Sahiwal if you want.
Facilities? Here, AC means ‘open window’ and ‘fan’, which makes so much noise that it will take off and go to Mars right now.
2. Speaking English vs. Desi Swag...
Private School: “Excuse me Ma’am, may I go to the washroom?” Even saying it requires attention to the language. Saying it in Odia will result in a fine, as if you have committed a serious crime.
Govt schools: There are no language barriers here. Everything from “Abe! Master has arrived, Bhag!” to “Why did you take my pencil?”
And here, a child who speaks English is considered a ‘son of the village’.
3. Lunch break.
Private schools: Children bring ‘pasta’, ‘patties’ and ‘sandwiches’ in tins. Their lunch breaks are so civilized that it feels like a business meeting is taking place.
Govt schools: This is where the real fun is found! It’s more like a mid-day meal than a wedding buffet.
Finding ghee in a bowl is as difficult as passing an exam, but eating it with friends tastes different.
4. Parent-Teacher Meeting…(PTM)
Private School: Parents go to PTM like they would to a high-profile corporate presentation. The teacher says, “His word is creative but needs focus,” which literally means “Your child babbles all day.”
Govt schools: Here PTM stands for “Death Call.” Master Agnya says bluntly, “His mind is on his friends, he is zero in studies.” The ‘belt-treatment’ he gets when he goes home is different.
The last word.
Private school kids waste their childhood in the pursuit of becoming ‘experienced’, and govt school kids become experts at breaking benches in the pursuit of becoming ‘self-reliant’.
Both are legends in their own right, one has the brand and the other has the guts to break.