Uniform admission policy sought

Lawyer-activists have demanded a single window policy for admissions in all classes across private schools in Delhi to ensure transparency, prevent screening and denial of admissions to deserving candidates. 

They allege that several schools in Delhi are asking for donation and denying admission to students from economically backward sections. 

Since the education authority's focus has been on admissions at the entry level, admissions in other classes remain unregulated. A group of lawyers has sent a letter to Divan Chand, Director Education asking him to “frame admission guidelines for classes other than entry level in all recognised unaided schools in Delhi.”  

The activists want to ensure smooth implementation of Right to Education (RTE) guaranteed to children under Article 21A of the constitution of India. 

“We have gone through the websites of a large number of schools where it is mentioned that admissions are decided on the basis of tests held in schools. Many parents are facing problems due to absence of any guidelines or admission criteria in private schools,” said Khagesh Jha, a Supreme Court lawyer.

RTE guidelines clearly state that admission tests are restricted under section 13 which makes the provision of such tests a criminal offence. “Taking tests was permissible earlier under the Delhi School Education Act and Rules. But the RTE Act does not permit this. Such a vacuum is encouraging schools to collect capitation fee,” said Ashok Aggarwal, a senior advocate.

 The existing nursery admission guidelines are only for the entry level classes. Similar guidelines for other classes should be there so that we can hold schools accountable if they deny admissions to children, he added.

Ashok Ganguly, former CBSE chairman, who was instrumental in devising the point system on pre-primary and preschool education in Delhi echoed similar views. “There is an urgent need to frame guidelines to make admission process transparent in all schools of Delhi,” he said.

A senior official from the Directorate of Education said the request will be forwarded to the Ministry of Human Resource Development as it makes policy decisions .