Delhi schools should admit children throughout the year: Minister

Delhi Education Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely, said the process of enrolling children in nursery and pre-primary classes would continue throughout the year as per provisions of Right to Education Act.

Although Delhi government had set a July 31 deadline for nursery admission, Mr. Lovely said the RTE provides for enrolment throughout the year.

At a meeting, Mr. Lovely directed top officials of his department to ensure that all eligible children get admission in government-run as well as private schools.

“The Minister issued clear instructions to enrol the children in appropriate classes. He also directed the officials to ensure not a single child is left without getting admission,” said the official who attended the meeting.

Mr. Lovely said all the deputy directors of various zones have been told to prepare of list of private schools where seats under economically weaker section are lying vacant.

“These seats will be filled soon. We will seek fresh applications from children of poor families for admission under this category,” Mr. Lovely said.

The Delhi government had earlier this year issued guidelines asking all schools to reserve 25 per cent of the total seats for students belonging to Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) as per RTE Act.

The Education Minister said there has been an increase in enrolment of about one lakh students in government-run schools this year, compared to last year.

A total of 13,99,000 students were enrolled this year compared to 13,01,591 last year, an official said.

The city government is currently running 943 schools, which include around 700 senior secondary schools, 200 secondary schools and around 40 middle schools.