School blues

Have I become the annoying, interfering parent being cited by Memes, cultural commentary, and popular representation in film and TV? 

I found myself in a heated discussion with the principal of Kavita's new school. I had made the decision to change her school because I believed this school's creative arts approach would benefit Kavita.

The fees are slightly higher at this school ($ 362.00 compared to $ 300.00) and there's a separate Activity Fee of $ 75.00. There was also a registration fee of $ 200.00. We also have to pay 2 months in advance at least. Not only that, we are asked to bring in paper, pencils, glue, napkins, etc. Just to enrol her, we have to produce $ 999.00 and this only covers 2 months of schooling from 9 AM to 1 PM. $ 999 is 105,279.62 Pakistan rupees. This is a fortune - only for a 4 year old to cover some play time, a little bit of ABC's and numbers. 

The first morning I dropped off Kavita, I was surprised to see only 4 children in her class and, 2 of them were throwing tantrums. The teacher was meek and appeared not very different from Musu, our Nanny. They had laid out toy fruits for the 4-year old kids to play with. 

Kavita was at Kid's Nest from February to June earlier this year during my stint with International Alert. The monthly fee was $ 300.00. We only paid by month and we did not have to bring in toilet paper although they had insisted I bring in baby wipes for her. I told them to help wash her hands instead of using baby wipes. Her class had about 10 or 15 kids, I can't remember. 

Of course, providing feedback on the second day might have been too early but I did explain to the principal that I was just providing my knee-jerk reactions. I was surprised to see so few kids in her class and, so far, I didn't find Kavita's teacher to be dynamic. I had to tell Kavita's teacher to make sure Kavita finishes her lunch and be strict with her! Sounds like an annoying parent, doesn't it? 

This conversation happened at school but the founder of the school later called me to discuss these concerns. I know the founder for some time and, have used her services for professional photography shoots for my IT company. Kavita also attended the summer camps before. The founder and friend explained all the hard work that had gone to set up the pre-school and she had explained to Haresh earlier in July (when the 2017 summer camp was in session) that the pre-school would only have very few students. And they were using a different approach to pre-school. I understood all that and, said that I had just not realised there would be so few students. I also said that I was not very happy to see that 2 of her classmates were throwing tantrums! I might as well have kept her at Kid's Nest where it was a bigger class and, even if there were tantrum throwers, there were some children who were as mature as Kavita. 

My friend explained I didn't need to worry and, Kavita would flourish in this environment. She would learn French, yoga, piano, etc. She had in fact dreamed of starting this school for her own daughter when her daughter when she still lived in Monrovia (now her kids lived in the US). Now, she was happy to start this for other children. 

I was told that I shouldn't be so hard on other kids if they were throwing tantrums because the first day can be hard. I was also reminded that not everyone is as mature as Kavita.

I was also told that it's the first time they've heard of a parent complaining of a smaller class. Smaller classes are good and, the teacher can focus on the children individually. 

I've been mulling over the exchange and my reactions to my own decision to put her in school.

I'm the example of someone who enjoys the privileges and comforts of her class but yet rails against it. I am shocked that my daughter is, in the end, at quite an elitist type of school, hardly 4 kids in her class. I have to dish out $ 362.00 per month for hardly 4 hours of play time, drawing pictures, a little bit of music and (gasp!) yoga. Yes, the amount of money pinches me. On top of it, the school has asked to bring in supplies. What the heck are the fees for, then?

We who live in societies where public school systems are only for the poor are forced to shop for education.

I am not only reacting against these conditions but also the acceptance of children's bad behaviour in public.

This is the time to start appreciating our parents - they spent good money on my education. Without too much complaining about the exorbitant school fees of international American schools. I need to stop whining and suck it up. 😉