Sir: A certain chain of private schools, whose name I prefer not to mention here, accepts a security deposit of Rs 30,000 on the day of admission and returns that fee when the student graduates. However, there is a catch; if the child does not withdraw from the school before a certain date — the date which remains undisclosed — the security deposit is not returned as it is part of the school’s policy not to do so. I myself have gone through the same ordeal when my security deposit of Rs 30,000 was eaten up without even a notice or warning. This incident has made me realise that since the dawn of time, man always finds a way to earn a livelihood by using any fair and foul means. But nowadays, earning a living seems almost synonymous with taking advantage. Imparting knowledge it seems has become nothing more than a shrewd business where you are not even given your money’s worth. How can we as a country prosper when something which, ideally, should broaden our minds, has become dishonest itself? SYEDA MAHEEN QADRI Karachi