Social exclusivity: Too posh for their own good?

Growing inequality threatens to kill meritocracy

A casual remark on the need for stricter regulation in Indian elite schools sparked off an intense debate between my cousin and I the other day. She was thinking of sending her 5 year old to the elite Dhirubhai Ambani International school in mumbai. I vociferously opposed the move, fervently arguing that these schools segregate the kids of rich and well-connected parents, huddling them together into closed coteries and perpetuating social exclusivity in an already grossly unequal world. I expressed fear that well-heeled kids from these institutes enjoy unfair advantages that closed alumni networks provide, easing their entry into power corridors and privileged professions that a majority of us can only dream of getting into. The fact that 41 of the 52 British PMs went to Oxbridge, I said vindicated my belief.

As the world faces a protracted economic downturn, unemployment soars and people find it increasingly tough to get a job, this sort of inequality has the dangers of further obliterating meritocracy in our country. This even as we argue that we are in the age of growing social mobility in India

Look at the profile of today's top corporate tycoon, film-star or politician. Does the average middle class Indian have fair access to these positions? Not without big money - which is a prerequisite for entry into many of today's posh schools, big contacts - to be made in such schools or a big legacy.

There are exceptions of course - like a Shahrukh Khan in films or a Narendra Modi in politics. But for every Modi, there is a Rahul Gandhi, a Sachin Pilot, an Omar Abdullah and a Jyotiradiya Scindia. Those in India with a half decent education can just about dream of climbing up the wobbly employment ladder and getting a regular office job. But beyond that? The general perception is, that the social and economic distance between those at the bottom to middle and those at the very top - driving policy, is now so vast, that it is impossible for anyone without influence to cover it.

If this is indeed the case, and if a good start in life can have a direct correlation to how successful one is in life, shouldn't our premier schools be made more accessible to people from all backgrounds rather than be restricted to the creme of society? Ecole Mondiale in Mumbai charges 8,00,000 rupees per annum for students between class 1 and 10. This probably is the first and the last point of discrimination, ruling out 99.99% of candidates from even applying.

The Right To Education Bill partly addresses this problem through 25% compulsory reservation in private schools. But perhaps schools themselves need to be more conscious  of bringing about a fair social equilibrium, embracing diversity rather than reinforcing class divides and empowering those with ability but without the means or influence to bridge this chasm and create a truly meritocratic society.