HC orders panel to probe St Kabir case

The parents,whose children could not secure a seat in St Kabir school,Sector 26,during the pre-nursery class admissions last week,had moved the High Court.

Issuing the notices,Justice Surya Kant observed,“Meanwhile,the counsel for the UT Education Department shall have instructions for constitution of an inquiry committee headed by the DPI (School) of the Chandigarh Administration,comprising of the two seniormost officers of the Education Department as its members,to look into the criteria,procedure and transparency in admissions made by St Kabir.”

The petitioners have contended that unlike other schools,St Kabir School did not allow parents to take home the admission form and were compelled to fill it in the school only. It was also argued that out of the total 92 seats for the admission to the pre-nursery class,only 18 students were admitted through draw of lots while the others seats were reserved for siblings of those already studying in the school and teacher’s children.

The petitioners also averred that the entire admission process was vitiated by arbitrariness and illegality because as per apex court guidelines,no school can reserve more than 50 per cent seats.

Last week high drama was witnessed at the school over the shortage in the number of seats

offered to general category applicants for admission. During the draw of lots,as many as 500 parents had demonstrated against the reservation of seats under various categories.

Around 70 parents,including the petitioners,had submitted a written complaint at the office of DPI (Schools) Sandeep Hans.