Another suggestion from Sibal — to leave it to students to decide the stream they want to pursue after Class X — also came in for criticism. Principals said a student’s choice can’t be the only factor in determining admissions due to the tough competition and limited seats available in coveted streams.

“There is a rat race for certain streams among students,” Puri said. “Children do not know their aptitude at such a young age, and this is where a school’s decision to put them in different streams comes in.”

Springdales School, Pusa Road, principal Amita Mulla Wattal said while Sibal has made the announcement, there needs to be a serious dialogue with principals and educationists before a policyis devised.