JOIN USNew nursery rules give poor kids helping hand
Much to parent’s disappointment, nursery guidelines for 2013-14 academic session do not have many changes for the general category compared to last year.
However, more relief has been given to students who will apply under the Economically Weaker Section category.
Since the High Court refused to urgently hear a public interest litigation that challenged the points system followed by private schools, the Directorate of Education decided to release the guidelines, which were prepared in advance, as the next hearing is on January 23.
One of the most prominent additions is that of including orphans under the disadvantaged category who will be required to produce a certificate issued by the Department of Women and Child Development, Delhi.
Also, the neighbourhood distance criteria devised by the HC in the January order for EWS admissions has been included in the guidelines. Schools will have to provide 25 per cent seats to EWS students across entry level classes like pre-school, pre-primary and even class 1.
Similar to last year, a common registration form for admission under EWS has been uploaded on DoE’s website.
After reports on schools charging for these forms, the DoE has given specific instructions which state, “Every school shall ensure that the registration forms in the prescribed performa are made available free of cost to all applications under EWS and disadvantaged group without any barrier or hindrance.”
Guidelines also specify that the number of entry level seats should not be less than the highest number of seats in the entry class “during the previous three years.” “Even children who did not get admission last year will benefit as seats will be increased. But there are no specifications on the criteria for students from the minority community,” said Khagesh Jha, advocate and Right to Education campaigner.
Schools have been directed to send details about the number of vacant seats under EWS at the end of the admission procedure to the area deputy director of education by April 4, 2013.
The collated information will then be forwarded to DoE’s main branch to ensure that vacant seats are filled before the academic session starts.
School principals said they are relieved to see the guidelines.
“The guidelines should have been given much earlier as it would have helped us start the procedure in a better manner. We are happy that the department has specified the dates as well,” said Ameeta Wattal, principal of Springdales School, Pusa Road. “We will follow the same admission criteria as last year’s.”
Parents who plan to apply under the general category are still demanding online forms.
“What is there in the guidelines for parents? Parents were expecting some change in the guidelines where neighbourhood and first child will be given preference. Considering last year’s admission process, we are not hopeful that this year it will be smooth,” said Sumit Vohra, founder, admissionsnursery.com.
He added that parents should not focus on brands but go for neighbourhood schools.