Over the last 15-20 years the educational system has drastically changed. Today, only a degree does not suffice; a post-graduate degree is a must to be employed.

This scenario has given rise to high levels of competition. To escape this competition, many students take advantage of the different quotas available, which most definitely should be discouraged.

In the name of quota there are many controversies. The management of an institution can manipulate admissions under the guise of quota. Students who do not fit into a category and who cannot fulfil the merit requirements, are the worst affected.

These students have to then resort to donations for admission. But I feel that merits in terms of academic or non-curricular activities should be appreciated and they must be given some quota.

Reservations made for a particular community or religion is absolutely unacceptable. Lets take the case of a child joining school. A five-year-old child has no clue about the religion or community he comes from.

But because the child has a specific tag attached, which is identified mainly by the name, the child gets admission into the educational institution. At the school level it is not such an evil as children are all of similar mental capabilities.

For college admissions the same child gets admission into a recognised institution simply because of his name. The child may have no faith in his religion and does nothing that makes the community proud and yet he gets the admission and this time ahead of students who deserve to get admissions. This is absolutely unfair.

There are also some institutions where the management admits needy students from a particular community without the required marks and the admission fee. Here the management uses its authority to provide a service to the community, which must be appreciated.

Mahesh Desai is the director of SE International School and is a resident of Rokadia Lane. He spoke to Bryan Thankappan.