An experience with shopping for schools in Trivandrum . . .

26th June, 2009

We both are seriously considering coming back to our home in Trivandrum to settle down. The main reason is that our parents are not getting any younger and we’d like to be around them when they need us. Our kid is also excited to be here. Another reason is that we are kind of getting bored living in America. Life there in our eyes has become grey, everything is so perfect, and everything seems so artificial — perfectly maintained lawns, roads, schools, wherever you look, it looks the same: big, symmetrical, and colorless. All you get to see is perfection, maybe our “Indian-ness” is having issues adjusting to too much perfectionism :).So we started looking for schools in Trivandrum.

The first one we went to checkout was St Joseph’s High School Trivandrum and the second one was St Thomas Central School, Mukkola. The experience we got from both the places was pleasant and welcoming. The heads of the institutions took their time to talk to us and patiently answered to all our questions.

But . . .

the third school we went to see was the Loyola school. The experience we had with the principal was totally different from what one would expect from a cassock wearing priest. Even after telling him why we are there, he started with a mocking question with a smirk on his face “so, why are you here, are you here to teach, get an admission or for what?” we took it lightly and answered him again why we are there. Immediately he said that they do not teach the American way and so our kid will not be able to study along with the other kids at his school where the standard of education is higher. He sounded in such a way that my child is dumb and worthless since he studied in America. Then after seeing my son’s certificate of academic excellence, signed by the US President Obama, he went on with his mockery saying that this certificate of academic excellence is from America and has no value here. All this was done in front of my child. Instead of being arrogant, rude and disrespectful to his guests, he could have politely or even coldly dismissed us by saying that there are no seats.

The attitude of the Loyola principal was very disrespectful and disgusting; he was talking to us as if we are his 5th grade students. There was no respect whatsoever in his manner right from the beginning and I don’t think this is the way to behave as the head of a school. I will never let my son attend such a school even if he has to educate himself sitting on the streets. I prefer that he grow up with good qualities such as compassion, humility, respect to others, and learn from adults who can set good examples of these qualities.

I’m very disappointed at this educator who doesn’t exhibit even the minimal professionalism when dealing with parents and prospective students. I hope he understands that the world doesn’t revolve around him.