Parent writes to CM to take action against schools

Eshwar Natarajan, who has been trying to get his three-year-old daughter admitted in a nursery school, has written to Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit highlighting how schools have been harassing parents.

He wrote the letter last week and posted it on admissionsnursery.com, a website for parents.

“I want to point out issues faced by parents. I saw Dikshit telling a news channel that she has no proof to take action against schools. I have given her enough proof in my letter,” said Natarajan.

“I had also filed complaints on Delhi government website Aap ki Sunwai regarding irregularities in the admission process of three schools. The complaints were registered on January 19 and 24, but no action has been taken,” he added.

The letter highlights issues related to non-compliance of Directorate of Education’s (DoE) guidelines by schools such as Vivekanand School in Anand Vihar, Arwachin Bharti School in Vivek Vihar and Sneh International School in Preet Vihar.

The DoE guidelines had said the admission forms should not cost more than Rs 25. But most schools made it mandatory for parents to buy prospectus along with the forms, making the price of forms much higher.

Other issues include the failure of the point system as preference has been given to alumni and their siblings. Donations are prevalent and there is no transparency in the admission process, said the letter.

“These issues are evident. But it is highly unlikely that Dikshit will respond to them. There are several complaints on DoE’s website but no action has been taken on any of the complaints. Parents were taken for a ride last year and this year as well. The situation will remain the same next year too,” said Sumit Vohra, founder of admissionsnursery.com.

Natarajan is hopeful that Dikshit will respond this time. “Two years ago, I wrote a letter to the chief minister over non-availability of autorickshaws. Then she called me after three weeks. I am ready to give a statement against schools that  asked for donations and harassed us,” he said.