Seeking Admission To Vasant Valley School

As per our plans, my family will relocate to Delhi ahead of my own targeted relocation later this year and as is normal with anyone wanting to change his abode, on top of my list of “things-to-do” is to secure admission for my children to a good school.

I have lived in South Delhi for most part of my life. I was born in Safdurjung Hospital, grew up in RK Puram, Moti Bagh and Lodhi Road and have schooled in Sector 8, RK Puram (Kendriya Vidyalaya). 

One day in the early nineties, I happened to go to Vasant Kunj and discovered the Vasant Valley School and marvelled at way the school has been built while leaving the natural landscape unharmed to a great extent. The school is nestled behind a bush, literally. if you are going past the road on the side of which the school is located, you are likely to drive past the school without really noticing it.

I went inside the school and I discovered that the school was quite unique in a number of ways. The school wasn’t “marks” driven and its overall curriculum was evenly balanced between academics and co-curricular activities. 

I discovered that the school had teachers who were drawn from diverse fields who could impart education that was straight out of the real world and the knowledge sharing wasn’t a limited to the world of NCERT books.

I nurtured a secret dream of giving my daughter an education in Vasant Valley whenever I was in a position to afford it and by the special grace of God, I am in that position today. 

My daughter has completed her Class XI from Indian Language school, Lagos under the CBSE board. She is a good student who is liked by her teachers and friends for her vivaciousness and simplicity. She had secured reasonably good marks in her Class X board, 87% overall with 90% in Maths and Science subjects.

On arriving in India two week ago, the first thing that I did was to send an email to Vasant Valley school. I sent separate emails to the school’s Director and  to the Head of senior School. I also sent email to the “admissions” address to leave no scope for any email failure.

I got all the email addresses from the school’s informative website. Some days went by but no response was received from the school. I sent the emails again after double checking the email addresses. 

I decided to go and check out myself and went to the school with my wife. I was met by a graceful lady whose disposition was very serious and that made me nervous. The lady reminded me of my strict looking Vice Principal  of my school and I was transformed from being a parent seeking admission for her daughter to a child seeking admission himself!

“What Class XII?” ” There is no policy to admit children in Class XII. She should complete her Class XII from where she completed her Class XI.” The lady said. Her tone was matter of fact. She was unsmiling but also not unfriendly. I don’t know how to describe it but I became more nervous. My fault entirely, not hers, I am sure.

“But Madam, we are relocating back to India. My contract is getting over and I need to get back. And Madam, what’s the interconnect between Class XI and Class XII? I think the syllabus for Class XII is not the same as that of Class XI.” I mustered courage and said meekly.

” But as per the policy, we have never given admission to any child to Class XII.” Madam said.

“Is it a government policy Madam or a school policy?” The inquisitive writer in me was slowly getting better of me. I immediately thought of dashing a letter of protest to Mr Kapil Sibal, perhaps the most pro-education Minister  in the world today.

The lady realized that her choice of the word “policy” was wrong.

“Mr Bisht, every school has its own strategy for students of Class XII. We don’t give admission to anyone in Class XII. Why don’t you do a letter and I will check with the school management and let them decide.” Madam said.

“But Madam, I have already sent emails to all the people concerned. Do I need to do a letter also? If you say, I will write a letter right now.” I was seeing a ray of hope.

” When did you send the email?  I will reply it today. No need to write a letter then.” Madam said.

Many days have gone by and I am yet to receive any response from the school.

Is it a crime to return to your homeland when you have to seek admission to the “yet-to-start” academic year for Class XII?

I will wait for Vasant Valley’s email to know!