Should there be admission tests for Nursery?

Indian education system needs a revamp. Children are taught to write from A to Z and from 1 to 10 in the play school and pre KG classes. They are even loaded with homework. At this age, when they could be slowly introduced to alphabets and numbers and should be allowed to play, why are our schools and play homes burdening them with writing exercises?

During my search for a playschool for my son, I could not find one without a conventional teaching method. A majority of the play schools informs the parents that they will prepare these children for the nursery admissions. These small kids are made to write each alphabet 70-90 times a day. Don’t you think it is too much?

Once during a book exhibition, I came across a 160 page book which boasts of “prepared for your child’s admission in renowned & leading public schools”. Should these kids be assessed and tested for knowledge before they start schooling? Will these tests and interviews give a true picture of the ability of a child? Are the schools right in eliminating the children who don’t clear the selection process? Shouldn’t they tap, nurture and develop the potential in each child?

I personally do not agree to this type of screening at this level. Schools cannot ascertain the actual potential of a child through a test or an interview. My own child belongs to that group of children who are quite intelligent and are capable of learning, but won’t communicate easily to strangers. Some children might be good speakers; others might be good learners and still others at something else. It is the responsibility of schools to develop the skills and talent latent in a child. Are the schools worried only about the academic performance of a child? Even the schools who claim to teach through play method end up with less play and more teach and write.

How many school(s) are there in India where the young children are not burdened with homework and projects?