EWS admission: Delhi Govt issues fresh instructions to schools

New Delhi:  Following inspection of records of EWS admissions in private schools, Delhi Government has issued a fresh set of instructions to school managements warning them of strict compliance.EWS admissions in private schools, Delhi Government has issued a fresh set of instructions to school managements warning them of strict compliance.

Noting that some private unaided recognized Schools are not admitting the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) children to the extent of 20 per cent (as mandated) in all fresh admissions made in upper classes other than entry level, the government has asked schools to submit data of all admissions made under the category.

"Schools must maintain proper records and registers including student admission and withdrawal register, student attendance, etc. No tuition fee is to be charged from the students admitted under EWS/DG category and if any school has charged then it is supposed to refund the same immediately under proper intimation to the Directorate of Education(DoE)," a communication sent by govt to school principals said.

"Schools have to provide free books, school uniforms and writing material to each and every student admitted under EWS/DG category. Income certificate issued by the competent authority declaring the total annual family income less than Rs 1 lakh is a valid document for admission whether it is in the name of mother or father of the child," it added.

DoE had earlier this month constituted 24 teams to randomly inspect the records of EWS/DG category admissions in private schools in the national capital after 300 schools were identified as defaulters for not sharing the status of admissions.

The nursery admission process began from January 1 and was to conclude by March 31. Since the schools are yet to complete the process under the first list of draw of lots, the admissions have stretched beyond the stipulated time.

According to DoE officials, the second draw of lots will be conducted once the department is aware of the status of vacant seats.

In February, about 26,600 entry level seats in private schools were alloted through computerised draws under the EWS category, an experiment introduced by Delhi government for the first time.

DoE had received over 73,059 applications for admissions to nursery, UKG and Class 1 against the total numbers of 28,193 seats.