Some schools land in a spot

Only recently some schools (not convents) distributed admission forms giving preference to such parents who stay within the three-four kilometre radius. For instance at Muktangan English School, a committee two days ago distributed 500 admission forms, scrutinised and selected 120 such children who fulfiled the neighbourhood clause and later by a draw of lots system allotted the seats.

While the principal was not available for comment, several teachers from various schools too wondered whether the admissions would be cancelled or continued with. Senior officials in the Education Department when contacted in Mumbai assured that admissions which have been given would not be cancelled.

Certain provisions of the Act were opposed by several parent organisations and representatives of convent schools. When contacted, Father Alex Quadros, Secretary of the Diocesan Board, said that there was a need for re-thinking on the provisions of the Act which provided for 70 per cent reservation of seats to children living within a distance of three-four kilometres of the school.

While the issue is still being heard in the Bombay High Court, certain provisions of the Act had been opposed like the lottery system of admission and the neighbourhood criteria for intake of students. The management quota had also been reduced which had invited the ire of minority schools.

P A Inamdar, chairman, Maharashtra Cosmopolitan Education Society, said that the admission process to their school will start immediately. He pointed out the difficulties that would have been faced by parents. For instance, the neighbourhood criteria would have posed a problem for such parents wanting to admit their second child to the same school along with his/her brother or sister.