Why this Kolaveri in Nursery?

You cannot cross two kms in any town in India today without coming across a board proclaimimg to educate 2 year old and 3 year old children in English and training them to face interviews for I standard. Apparently, the first impression is that education now starts early and it is a good thing. Unfortunately, most of these schools are run just for making money and are outright harmful for developing the personality of tender kids. I am a father of two daughters both educated in very good schools and so to start with, I write with some knowledge of what are the requisites for giving children a good education. Just to retrace histroy, The nursery schools (later divided in to LKG and UKG)made their appearance about fifty years back in the towns but till 90s, they were more of play and learn type montessori schools giving children a background of good habits through songs. Every one knows "pussy cat pussy cat " or " Baba black sheep" being recited in our homes. Later the scene completely changed with the entry of the commercial organisations which have spread rapidly by starting a chain of Pre schools all over the country on a franchise and profit sharing basis. Many people who have taken franchise of these school chains are business men and women having not much knolwedge or experience of teaching tiny tots. The parent company gives colourful books, note books , Cds and they just have to manage the teachers and the kids. No talent is required nor any genuine dedication to the cause of education. with the result, today the so called pre schooling outfits have become terror camps for kids. I know a preschool which gives corporal punishment to the three year olds for not being able to write the alphabets. Any teacher will tell you that unless the child is taught the drawing and eye hand coordination with some doodles, it cannot write clearly. But, the nursery schools of today have no time or facility for such methods. They also do not have good teachers as the profit motive looms large in the operation. They have got bulky books from the chain owner which they say that they must finish in time. That is all. we must understand that the nursery schools do not come under any Government rule nor any inspection. as far as Government is concerned, they do not exist. So, they are kings and queens in their own right. what they do with our kids is apparently no body's business. The school owners and franchisees are minting money by charging 50,000 Rs per child and in return are not even providing good education as they lack qualified teachers. Apart from the lack of education , the kids experience such trauma that it is seen to be believed. They are transported in crowded autos and vans and bundled up in class rooms at such tender age. Sometimes, they are not even allowed to play because school is unable to provide staff to supervise and guide them. It is futile for us to expect that the Nursery school bosses will reform. Atleast, we can ask the parents to be careful in selecting nursery school and if in doubt, avoid sending the kids at a very early age to any school. it is preferable for us to forego two years' earnings rather than expose our kids to ill treatment and misguidance in the name of preschool education. The Government should bring all preschools under a scheme by which they are inspected and any grievance against any franchisee or the staff of the preschool is dealt with by the authority. people should be warned not to charge more than a basic amount say Rs 10000 so that the greedy sharks who have entered the business more for rupees rather than love of teaching will quit the scene. By any means , this kolaveri in the name of nursery should stop.