Even though Mumbai has 1,300-odd schools -- enough to cater to the entire population -- Catholic schools are inevitably under scathing pressure during admissions. So, while half the civic-run schools scout around for students, the 120 Catholic schools are snowed with applications that obviously cannot compare with the number of seats available, the ratio being about 1: 2-3.

``Moreover, with every passing year, the pressure keeps increasing,'' observes Fr Ivo D'Souza, manager and principal of St Pius School, Mulund. And while the demand can be attributed to the `craze for a Convent education', as educators call it, it is as much due to the government's Janus-facedpolicies.

All grants-in-aid to English-medium schools were stopped in 1971. Which is why Catholic schools -- most of them were set up before 1971 and thus continue to enjoy this facility -- are so affordable. But it also means they have limited seats, in keeping with the requirements decades ago.

The no-grant rule was introduced to promote the setting up of Marathi-medium schools. And with every successive state government bent on popularising the local language, state policy has no space for English.

But not so for politicians per se. Their sons-of-the-soil exhortations notwithstanding, even Shiv Sena politicians are obsessed with giving their children a `Convent education'. Baring this hypocrisy, was shakha pramukh Shailesh Parab, who threatened the principal of Infant Jesus High School at Jogeshwari (E) last week, claiming ``Maharashtrians'' were denied admissions in Catholic schools.

But the reason for such preferences is not hard to fathom. Says Hansel D'Souza of the Bombay Catholic Sabha, ``Lookat the scenario today -- all higher education is in English. Any professional course is conducted in English.''

Not that non-Catholic, private-run English-medium schools have anything less to offer. However, being non-aided, their fees are exorbitant. This is another reason why parents rush to Catholic schools, says Dolphy D'Souza, a PTA member at St Anne's School, Malad.

Now, enter the extortionist. Aided and abeted by desperate parents, several people -- including local politicians -- promise admission in a particular school in return for a hefty sum. Sometimes, the money is collected in the name of the school authorities, principals say. These middle-men then threaten school officials, demanding admissions. Other than schools which collect donations on their own, this is another racket that flourishes. The only difference about such extortion is that more often than not parents are willing to pay.

But that is only half the problem. Civic-run schools, which could ease the burden on admissionsconsiderably -- are in a sorry state. For one, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, which runs 1,251 primary schools and 51 secondary schools, has paid scant attention to the quality of education they impart. Naturally, given a choice, parents consciously avoid sending their children to these schools apart from the inherent preference for Catholic-run institutions.

Admits a senior official in the state Education Department: ``There is close supervision in Convent schools, the standard is higher. It is the way these schools are managed. That makes all the difference.'' But that hasn't prompted any government to reconsider its policy decision.

And if such policies continue, so will the fracas, there is no doubt. Says Fr D'Souza, ``When people don't get admissions for their children, they approach politicians, who then come and meet us.'' And that does not exclude MLAs and MPs. While it is an annual phenomenon, most principals feel that this year, the pressure tactics are on the rise and are more`organised'.

But grants are not the ultimate solution. Even without government aid, private parties have set up schools -- English-medium ones included -- and are minting money. But the costs of setting up and running a school are forbidding, Fr D'Souza explains. A better deal would be to upgrade the existing civic- and government-run schools and include private parties in the process, so that everyone is offered education on an equal footing. But will there be any takers? The question remains.