VMC-run schools in demand

An unusual trend is being witnessed in the city. Parents are now making a beeline for English medium schools run by Vijayawada Municipal Corporation.

The reasons for this can be attributed to abnormal fee in private schools, improving quality of education in the VMC-run schools, and the aspiration to study in English medium schools. Parents have been enquiring about admission in Municipal High Schools for the last one week.

The VMC has introduced English medium in 20 schools in the city. Schools such as APSRM High School, GDET High School are in great demand. Parents are making rounds to schools such as AKTP School in Satyanarayanapuram and Gandhiji Municipal High School in the One Town area. These schools have at least two sections for each class and the strength will be more than 100 in each of them.

Managements of private schools had increased the fee abnormally last year. This year, they have increased it further. This boosted the demand for admission in VMC high schools. Managements of private and corporate schools are collecting more than Rs. 500 per month. The VMC schools, however, are collecting Rs. 9 per annum and Rs.9.50 per annum if it is a new admission into 6th and 7th class. And, the fee for classes 8, 9, and 10 is Rs. 10 per annum.

The fee was never increased in the recent past. “In fact, we paid the same fee when we were school students,” recollect teachers.

The VMC schools have been faring well for the past four years. Results of the SSC examination are well appreciated as the pass percentage has increased considerably. The number of students securing more than 500 marks has also increased, says Deputy EO K. Neelima Devi.

Teachers say that some of the “unlucky parents,” who could not get admission for their children in the last academic year, have approached VMC-run schools much early. The abnormal fee has caused migration of students from private to municipal schools.