Last Sunday, we took the kids to see a circus!  It was the first time ever that Pumpkin experienced a circus in all its glory.  Frankly, it had been more than a decade since the wife or I had been to a live circus act, so we didn’t know how it had evolved over the years.  Naturally, we were pleasantly surprised to see that the neighbourhood Kohinoor Circus (an Indian production) also featured acrobats from Russia, among their acts.  Of course, it also featured the usual bird show, elephant tricks, dog tricks, the “circle of death” motorcycle act, a plethora of clowns and a range of acrobatic acts… All in all, it made for a great experience…

But, that is not the entire story.  As it turned out, a bigger surprise was in store for us.

A few days ago, we had applied for Pumpkin’s admission to the nearby school, as she was to begin kindergarten in the coming months.  She was a bright child, and the local school was not very demanding.  As a result, we were pretty sure she would make it.  So sure, in fact, that we did not try anywhere else.  This was, after all, going to be our “backup” school, in case we don’t get through the one that was most in demand. 

I had taken an off from work to make it to the school interview.  The parents would be interviewed and the child would be “observed”.  We prepared Pumpkin for possible questions that may be asked, by playing a game of quiz at home.  She had a lot of fun and was eager to go to the “big school” to show off her knowledge quotient.  The big day came, and we cracked it.  The parents’ interview was a breeze, and Pumpkin soon finished her designated puzzle and wanted to do a couple more!

While collecting the form initially, the counter had advised us to apply for Senior KG as Pumpkin would be eligible for the higher level, considering her age was short of the requirement by just a few months.  Since then, after speaking with a number of other (equally anxious) parents, we’d decided that we would request the school to accept her in Junior KG, instead of putting undue pressure on the child at such a young age.  Most of the time spent on the interview day was spent in sorting that confusion out.  The procedure was a bit complicated, and people at each stage had to be explained what the mixup was.  Finally, we were told that it would be done.

The day came when the shortlisted names of children were put up on the notice board.  BossLady promptly set off for the school at the designated time.  But, to our horror, Pumpkin’s name was not on any list!

This could not be right.  She was such a bright child, after all.  Did we screw up with the parent answers, instead?  We haven’t even applied to any other school in the neighbourhood. 

There was no backup for our backup!

I was off in a residential Training program, and soon the panic call came: “We didn’t make it.  What do we do now?”

Between the two of us, my wife is the more worrying type.  I told her to calm down (which almost never works when you’re already so agitated), and that once I am back in town, I would sort this out.  But it wasn’t that easy, was it?  After all, we were talking about our child’s future, here.  This was a good school, and walking distance from our house.  What if the other one didn’t come through either?  Would we lose a year?!

More calls and heated arguments followed.  The wife insisting that it was something we said, and I insisting that the stupid school doesn’t have any reasonable selection criteria.  We knew other – less able – children who had made it.  In any case, we had to do something.

Every day and night that followed was filled with this concern.  I decided that the first available working day, I would sort it all out.  Meanwhile, we started making calls to friends and helpline numbers, trying to get phone numbers of all the schools in the surrounding geography and expanding the “backup” list as best as possible.  Some schools were too far away for comfort, others were not quite well-established.  Some had closed admissions for the year, while others had not yet opened.  Painstakingly, we took down all the details, and tried to prioritise our next steps…

The following day, I took Pumpkin and went to the school that had “rejected” her without an explanation.  I wanted to see the principal and understand what could possibly be behind that decision.  I was almost certain that the confusion regarding Junior and Senior KG was behind this result.  The lady at the reception, however, refused to hear my case.  “Exams are going on.  You can meet the principal only after the 28th”, she said.  “But, the last date for paying fees is the 25th”, I protested.  No impact.  Then, on a hunch, I went to check the Sr. KG list.  And, there it was… Bachwani Pumpkin Naveen.

I showed Pumpkin her name on the list, and went back to the receptionist.  Her name is on the list, I said.  I need to speak to someone to sort this out.  What followed is a series of events: An interaction with a teacher and Pumpkin, a meeting with the Vice Principal, another meeting with the Pre Primary Coordinator – all to ascertain whether or not Pumpkin qualifies for admission in the Sr. KG.  The final verdict – She was more than capable of handling the curriculum of Sr. KG, and the school would be happy to have her on their rolls!

At each stage of interaction, that day, I could’ve walked away without a solution.  But, I persisted.  And, it paid off.  Not only did she make it, but every one in the school agreed that she is better suited for a higher level class… Finally, I could call BossLady and tell her that Pumpkin’s admission is done.

When I think about it now, the circus act wasn’t half as exciting as the carnival of admissions that ensued… What an experience!!!

Update : May 2008 :

Pumpkin’s admission to the school we really wanted her to join, finally came through.  She will be joining Bombay Scottish, Powai in June!