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Several ICSE and CBSE schools across the country have been issued directives by the Supreme Court instructing them to ease up on nursery admission interviews after it was discovered that the expectations were higher than those of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Examinations. In a directive that has caused a few titters in school corridors, the Ganguly Commission stated that, “the nursery admission procedure must follow a fairly equal standard across the country. Schools must stop pressurising children and their parents to live up to expectations well beyond the child’s years. A child seeks admission into schools in order to gain an education and if he is exhibiting an education already, there would be no need to study any further.”

The SC directive was passed after a group of parents filed a public interest litigation against the ICSE and CBSE education boards claiming the nursery interview process was unfair. The parents involved in the case have all sat for various UPSC exams including the IAS and IRS examinations. “Some of these questions are too tough,” said Shyama Banerjee, “my husband and I both together were unable to come up with a satisfactory response then how can a 4-3 yr old do so?” The SC, in a fairly backhanded ruling, said that while the UPSC exams should not be considered a standard for Boards such as the ICSE and CBSE, the schools should re-evaluate the interview questions.

Under a typical nursery interview process, children seeking admission are expected not only to know their own names and their parents’ names but also be able to write all three in at least two languages. The child’s general knowledge is also tested with questions about the solar system, specifically the debate about Pluto’s status as a planet, and questions about the city they live in with specific references to the socio-economic conditions and religious stability of their housing society or community. The lighter side of the interview focuses on entertainment with the child talking about his favourite books, movies and films citing specific instances from each when talking about how the genre affects him as an individual.
UPSC exam applicants are usually passed through if they can stand up on their own two feet without external support and are able to sign their name in at least one Constitutionally recognised language, excluding regional dialects and offshoots.

While it is well known that these Boards set their standards considerably higher than State-level education boards, the revelation that they are higher than civil servant exams came as a shock to many. “If anything, I think this reflects well on the school system in India,” said Romit Podse. Podse child had no trouble getting through in 4 different schools across the country. “Despite all the corruption and chaos, the fact that the education system manages to shine on is a testament to the dedication of the faculty.” Podse has no qualms about the fact that the nursery interviews were as tough as they were and wasn’t even visibly surprised when heard that the UPSC exams were easier. “How many ICSE students think about sitting for the IAS?” he said adding, “none, because they are at the level to do so when they are in the 3rd standard, at which time they are underage. By the time they reach class 10, they are still underage but way above the UPSC standard. Why then would he waste his time being a civil servant?”

Be that as it may, the SC is adamant about their decision. But given the fact that the Court has no direct authority over a school’s functioning so long as they are transparent, there is little chance of any school changing their interview format. The disgruntled parents then may rejoice now but will soon realise that their’s is a hollow victory because they just kissed their kids’ chances of a good education bye-bye.

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