JOIN USDoE gives relief to EWS category kids
After complaints of schools not accepting food security card as a proof for income under the Economically Weaker Section category, the Directorate of Education on Tuesday issued a notice to institutions to accept the cards from parents applying under disadvantage groups for 2015-16 nursery admissions.
But still, there is no clear-cut admission schedule for the EWS category.
To bring the issue to notice, a child rights group has written to the Directorate of Education asking the department to look into the matter.
“The DoE should come out with the clear-cut schedule for the admission process under EWS category so that parents can be at ease,” said Sumit Vohra, founder of admissionsnursery.com. “The DoE should also issue a calendar for the EWS draw of lots to enhance transparency,” Vohra added.
The DoE said that food security cards issued by the food and civil supplies and consumer affairs department will be considered as documentary proof for applying under EWS category in entry-level classes of private unaided recognised school in Delhi, in addition to the income certificate.
It added that schools must display a single list, mentioning the names in alphabetical order, of selected general category and EWS children.
“Parents of EWS children may file complaints related to the admission process for entry-level classes online on the Directorate of Education’s website, edudel.nic.in at the link Grievances RTE Act-09,” the circular said.
Guardians belonging to disadvantage groups are still in a fix because there is no assurance whether they will get fee refund if they take admission in general category and later their child gets selected under EWS category.
“I have applied in a couple of schools for the admission of my three-year-old son under the EWS category. The school authorities say that if my child qualifies under general category he will be given be that seat. But my worry is if he is admitted to other school under EWS category will I be getting a refund?” said Chander Prakash (name changed), a peon with a government office.
“The school authorities are silent on the matter,” he added.
On December 26, the DoE issued guidelines for the EWS category and disadvantaged groups but there was no schedule of dates for the admission to nursery classes for 2015-16 session.
There are a total of 37,500 seats under the EWS and disadvantaged groups categories in unaided recognised private schools in Delhi.
According to the EWS guidelines, admission will be first offered to eligible students living within one-km of a school, then to children living within three-km radius and if there are still vacancies, then the admission will be offered to kids living within six-km of the institution.
“However, schools shall accept forms from all applicants under the EWS and disadvantaged groups irrespective of distance of residence from school, and segregate them slab-wise,” the guidelines said.
DH News Service