“I chose a (budget) private school because of its good quality of education. The teachers give a lot of attention to students. In the local government school, children don’t learn anything. We don’t mind paying fees if our child is being prepared for a better life. I studied at a government school but didn’t learn much so won’t like my children to suffer the same fate” — Anju, a housewife and mother of Prachi, a nursery student of New R.D. Public School, Delhi
“I chose this school because it offers English medium education, whereas all government schools are Kannada medium. I studied in a Kannada medium government school. We don’t want free education and mid-day meals but English-medium education so our children can get good jobs.” — Rebecca, mother (husband is a driver) of Sharon, a class I student of Sharada Vidya Niketan, Bangalore
“St. Mary’s High School provides quality education and excellent teachers. After my son’s positive experience at the school, I decided to send my daughter there as well. Recently she topped the class X SSC board exam with a score of 95 percent.” — Jayashree Sanjeevan Nair, an income tax department employee with two children in St. Mary’s High School, Kalyan, Mumbai