It has been a week since nursery admissions for private schools began in the city. With January 23 as the last day for schools to accept applications, there is still no notification on the 298 schools built on DDA/government land. Many prominent schools in the city built on DDA land have to accept 75 per cent students from the neighbourhood.
Delhi HC orders
The Directorate of Education (DoE) had issued a statement saying that as per Delhi High Court orders, all private schools have to adopt the criteria of admission which must be clear, well-defined, equitable, non-discriminatory, unambiguous and transparent, but failed to comment on when the notification for the 298 schools would come out.
In case of grievance
The statement had also said that any grievance with regard to the admission process or complaints related to donation/capitation fee being charged by schools, non-display of criteria/procedure of admissions, non-availability of admission forms or any other complaint may be lodged on link doepvt.delhi.gov.in
The DoE had instructed all schools to display the total number of entry-level seats and clear cut criteria on their websites and notice boards in a transparent manner. “The schools must transparently declare and display the list of shortlisted children along with breakup of marks allotted on each criterion. For clarification of grievances/doubts of parents, specific time has been given between February 16 and 18.”
On the tenterhooks
Parents, however, are on the tenterhooks.
Seema Bisht, a parent seeking admission at St. Mary’s Public School, said: “Right now we don’t have any idea about admission to 298 schools. I am filling up the form for other schools that have started the process and will submit it before January 23. I will decide after schools declare the result.”
‘Lots of confusion’
Though long lines outside schools were missing, Pallavi, a parent, added: “Though the government has announced online admissions, there is still a lot of confusion. That is why I decided to come to the school to take the form. I will submit it as soon as possible. I have not faced any problem so far.”
Some parents are worried that the admission guidelines for schools built on government land may not be clear-cut and may require documentation that cannot be arranged for overnight. “Instead of taking the risk, I am applying to all the schools in my area. Better to have a seat in a lesser-known school than no seat at all,” said a parent.
