Private school lists from Jan 10 to 15

“Looking at the concerns of a lot many parents,we recommended the private schools have common admission schedules from this year. All the schools have voluntarily agreed to it,taking a good step forward,” said UT Education Secretary V K Singh.

Independent Schools Association President H S Mamik,told Newsline,“The Administration recommended that schools ensure that the cost of registration forms and prospectus would remain reasonable this year. The purchase of the prospectus would be at the parents’ discretion.”

Being in line with the provisions of the Right to Education (RTE) Act,2009,and the Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) guidelines,the schools have also been instructed to conduct admissions purely on the basis of draw of lots. The officials informed that admissions to seats reserved for 25 per cent quota for children from economically weaker sections (EWS) of society too would be done via draw of lots,after receiving the applications.

“It was conveyed at today’s meeting that the schools shall not interview parents and students during admissions and cannot subject students to any form of discrimination,” said Singh.

However,confusion still prevails over the age-criteria of students,child mapping survey as well the reimbursement to be provided to the schools by the Administration against the 25 per cent seats reserved for children from economically weaker sections. As mandated under RTE,the age criteria for admission to class I is a minimum of 6 years of age.

‘RTE applies to minority schools too’

The principals of some minority institutions argued at Wednesday’s meeting they do not fall under the purview of the RTE Act. However,UT Education Secretary V K Singh clarified that since there is no stay order from the Panjab and Haryana High Court on the issue,these schools will not be exempted from the RTE Act. The minority schools had moved the High court last year.