“It’s a relief now, after weeks of struggle.”
Relief was indeed palpable in the voice of the mother of a student of Modern School Barakhamba Road after she shared that the school has allowed her ward a chance to repeat Class 9.
The student is among eight from the EWS/ DG (economically weaker section/ disadvantaged group) categories who sent a legal notice to the school a few days ago after being issued leaving certificates for not clearing Class 9 exams, as reported by The Indian Express earlier this week.
After the parents met the school authorities on Friday, the school has relented and allowed the students to repeat the year, said the parents. “Since we hadn’t received any information from the school, we decided to go (to the campus). We were in the school for a few hours today and met the teachers. They have said that the children can attend school Tuesday onwards. We were asked to give in writing that we want readmission,” said the parent quoted above.
School Principal Vijay Datta has not responded to requests for comment.
The students, four boys and four girls, who began studying in nursery in the school’s junior section, had not been able to clear their compartment exams, and were not allowed to repeat the year. Classes for the current academic year began in the first week of April.
The parent quoted above has two children, both in the same school. “For me, it was shocking when they said they wouldn’t allow him to repeat the year… we wouldn’t have been able to get admission anywhere else for a child who has failed his exams. He was already going for tuitions, now we will ensure that he goes for the best one, so that he can cover up. We
have got a chance, but it still feels like a risk,” said the parent, who is a housewife while her husband is a driver.
“Modern School has a name… of being the best, and my children got lucky in the draw of lots for admission,” she added.
Another parent, who works as a driver, said he was relieved that his son was being “readmitted”.
“This school was the closest to home… my job is such that I cannot be sure when I would be free. From here, my wife can walk to school to pick the kids up and drop them off. My elder son, in Class 9, also used to play hockey… after Class 12, we will see about which course to get him enrolled in,” said the father of two boys, both of whom are in Modern School.
‘Hope they won’t be treated differently’
The mother of a student who was involved in NCC activities said she is now considering asking her daughter to stop participating in them and focus on her studies.
“In junior school, she learnt very well. During Covid, with online classes, she lost her footing a little. She has struggled with Maths and Science. They have been readmitted but we are hoping that they won’t be treated differently now. She used to perform very well in NCC activities… I’ve been asking her to drop it now and focus on studying. She has come this far, now she needs to go further,” said the parent, a housewife, whose husband does electrical work.
The father of three daughters, all in Modern School, who works as an auto driver, said, “It’s not that we want to get them married off… we want them to be able to study, as much as they can.”
His daughter had not been able to clear compartment exams in Maths and Science.
The mother of one of the students, who was also unable to clear compartment exams in Maths and Science, said, “Her time was getting wasted when classes had already begun for everybody else. I’ve studied only till Class 8-9, and I don’t have anything to show for it. I used to work at a private foundation, but the contract ended a year-and-a-half ago.”
Private schools are required to reserve 25% of seats at the entry-level for students from the EWS, DG, and children with special needs (CWSN) categories as well as provide them with free and compulsory education till Class 8, as per the Right to Education Act.
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