Without DoE nod, schools begin EWS admissions

Several schools in Delhi have started admissions for the economically weaker section category without any confirmation by the Directorate of Education about the new directive on distance criteria for nursery admissions.

The Delhi High Court had passed an order last week asking schools to stress on the neighbourhood criteria for nursery admissions to the EWS category and organise another round of draw of lots.

The schools were also asked to withhold the declaration of their first list till further notice from the court and DoE. But many schools started admissions for EWS category on Tuesday.

“According to the HC order, a federation of 450 schools was asked to restructure admission guidelines for EWS category. The schools had requested two weeks’ time. So why are they in such a hurry? The new session will begin in April, so they could have waited for the DoE’s directive,” said advocate Khagesh Jha. DoE additional director Shashi Kaushal said no date has been fixed to issue the guidelines. The DoE director will take a decision soon, he said.

Schools say they have not received any notification from DoE regarding EWS admissions.
“We are following the old rules. We heard about some changes in the admission process from the media, but DoE has not circulated anything so far. We are admitting students in the EWS category,” said Dr Sara George, principal of St George School, Alaknanda.

Meenakshi Kushwaha, principal of Birla Vidya Niketan in Pushpa Vihar, said they cannot keep parents waiting. “If DoE gives a new directive, we will abide by it,” she added.
Schools that have started admissions for EWS category include Laxman Public School in Hauz Khas, Sachdeva Public School in Pitampura, New Green Field School in Saket and St Columba’s School on Ashoka Road.

Fear of DoE
Parents of children whose names have appeared in the first list fear withdrawal of admission if the DoE issues a new directive.

“There should be some uniformity in the process followed by schools. Some schools have come out with their first lists and started admissions while some have not displayed their first lists. What am I supposed to do? What if I admit my daughter and she is denied admission because of the new rules?” asked Dayanand Sharma, who works in a book store in Sarita Vihar.