Demand for lateral entry goes up with tightening of norms in Gulf countries

April 18, 2015 12:00 am | Updated 08:02 am IST - KOCHI

: Tightening of immigration and labour norms in the Gulf countries, including the Nitaqat Saudisation scheme have led to an increase in demand for lateral entry in to CBSE schools here in the new academic year.

Estimates by the Kerala CBSE School Management Association pointed out that the number of Malayali expatriates looking out for admission to classes between 1 and 12 has gone up compared to the last year.

“The administrators there [Gulf countries] are not sanctioning new divisions in schools forcing parents, especially Malayalis to search for an opening here. The impact of Nitaqat labour law has also triggered the demand for lateral entry in to CBSE schools,” said T.P.M. Ibrahim Khan, president of the CBSE School Management Association.

Mr. Khan said that curbs on sanctioning new divisions had also led to the increase in the flow of children of Malayali expatriates in to educational institutions here. “The crack down on schools functioning in residential areas in violation of the rules has resulted in a decline in intake capacity,” he said.

Expatriates had faced a similar situation last year after the rentals shot up in the Gulf, especially in Dubai, in March last year.

Parents had then shifted their children to schools here after the rentals went up by 30 to 40 per cent in Dubai, especially after it won the bid to host the World Expo 2020 exhibition.

Asked whether the military conflict in Yemen had its trickle-down effect on the rush for lateral entry, Mr. Khan said that the impact seems low, as the number of Malayali families settled in the war-torn region is less compared to the Gulf countries.

“As per an earlier circular by the CBSE, we have to give preference in lateral entry admission to the children of Malayali expatriates, especially those returning to their home land owing to various internal issues there. The managements will be taking a compassionate view while considering such applications,” he said.

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