Big relief for Delhi parents, nursery admissions under new norms from today

Zee Media Bureau New Delhi: In a major relief for the parents in Delhi, fed up with lofty donation demands from schools in lieu of admission of their tiny tots, the nursery admissions will begin under fresh guidelines from Tuesday. In what is set to deal a heavy blow to unaided private schools, the 20% management quota has been scrapped under the fresh guidelines which were issued by Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung on December 18. According to reports, in case the schools were caught demanding donation, they will have to pay a fine ten times more the amount.

The good news for the parents came after a Delhi High Court turned down a plea by unaided private schools seeking to stay the fresh guidelines. In its order granting nod to the new guidelines for nursery admissions, a Delhi High Court bench comprising Chief Justice NV Ramana and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw said that the new norm will not be delayed as it would create “confusion and would be detrimental to the interest of children and parents”. In their plea, the group of unaided private schools (Action Committee Unaided Recognised Private Schools and Forum for promotion of quality education for all) wanted the court to stay the guidelines for the session 2014-15, adding that it encroached upon their autonomy in selecting the students. According to the fresh norms as issued by the Lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung, 70 points will be accorded to those children living within 8-km distance from the school, under neighbourhood criteria. Besides these, the applicants who have sibling studying in the same school will get 20 points. Also, the 20% management quota has been scrapped, leaving behind a 5% quota for girls in theco-ed schools 25% seats reserved for economically weaker sections.