“I chose a (budget) private school because of its good quality of education. The teachers give a lot of attention to students. In the local government school, children don’t learn anything. We don’t mind paying fees if our child is being prepared for a better life. I studied at a government school but didn’t learn much so won’t like my children to suffer the same fate” — Anju, a housewife and mother of Prachi, a nursery student of New R.D. Public School, Delhi

“There’s no accountability in government schools as teachers’ jobs are secure. In Monarch School, teachers take personal interest in students. I will never send my children to the two neighbourhood government schools even though they are free of charge” —Mohammed Nizamuddin, ice cream vendor, Hyderabad

“I chose this school because it offers English medium education, whereas all government schools are Kannada medium. I studied in a Kannada medium government school. We don’t want free education and mid-day meals but English-medium education so our children can get good jobs.” — Rebecca, mother (husband is a driver) of Sharon, a class I student of Sharada Vidya Niketan, Bangalore

“St. Mary’s High School provides quality education and excellent teachers. After my son’s positive experience at the school, I decided to send my daughter there as well. Recently she topped the class X SSC board exam with a score of 95 percent.” — Jayashree Sanjeevan Nair, an income tax department employee with two children in St. Mary’s High School, Kalyan, Mumbai