Private school admissions under watch

Talking to Newsline,Director Public Instructions (Schools) Samwartak Singh said,”It is a serious matter which needs timely intervention. Schools have been citing one reason or the other to deny admission to poor students. But we have made sure that this time schools follow the Administration guidelines.”

He said that since the admission season is already underway,they have instructed the schools to keep a record of the admitted students.

“Once the admissions are over,schools will have to furnish a thorough data of students admitted. Officials from the department will scrutinise the documents to ensure that the 15 per cent norm is followed,” said Singh.

He added that the committees formed to supervise the admission procedure will not look ‘directly’ into the procedure as the accounts section of the department will assist in supervising admissions in schools.

According to last year’s data available with the department,many schools did not admit students from the EWS,as directed by the Administration.

While the department failed to take any action against the erring schools,it says,this year it is determined to check any contravention. “Schools breaking the rule will be dealt with strictly. The course of action will be taken as per law,” maintained Singh.

President of the Independent Schools’ Association D S Bedi,meanwhile,said: “The Independent Schools’ federation will hold an all-India conference in February where the main agenda will be the Right to Education Bill. We will implement whatever decision is taken at the conference regarding the admission of students from the EWS.”