Strike down Pre-School Act: Parents

MUMBAI, December 15: The High Court today heard a petition seeking the striking down of the recently implemented state sponsored Pre-School Centres Regulation of Admission Act 1996.

The petitioners, Nishit Dhruva and Jitesh M Merchant, claimed that their children8217;s admission was jeopardised by the new Act. Dhruva had received a letter from Cathedral and John Cannon School informing him that his child was ineligible for admission for the academic year 1998-99 since the child would not have reached the age of five years.

The Act, published in the state gazette on November 2, 1997, provides for admission in pre-school centres for children between three years and below five years. The petitioners, represented by advocate M M Vashi, prayed that pending the hearing and final disposal of the petition, the operation of this Act be stayed.