UT orders schools to withhold admissions

The ongoing controversy over the procedure being followed by the UT’s private schools for admission to entry-level classes took a new turn today after the UT Education Department directed all private unaided schools to withhold the admission process “till further instructions”. “All schools are directed not to finalise the list of candidates either by point system or holding of draw or by any other procedure till further instructions are issued by the office,” a communication issued by the UT District Education Officer (DEO) to all schools stated. The DEO’s letter also mentioned the writ petition filed by some parents in the Panjab and Haryana High Court challenging the admission procedure in one of the city schools recently.

“The schools are free to follow the schedule regarding sale of forms/ prospectus and acceptance of forms for registration as per due dates,” the letter added. Asked why blanket instructions have been issued to all schools while the petition in the High Court relates to just one school,DPI (Schools) Sandeep Hans said,“The order of the High Court may or may not define an admission procedure for the school. To avoid a similar situation relating to the admission process being followed in other schools,we have asked all of them to wait for the court orders.”

Hans added,“We have circulated the instructions in view of both the schools as well as the parents’ interests. There are still about two months available for the schools to take up the admissions. Why cant they wait for some time?” A group of 10 parents,whose children were not given seats at St Kabir School (Sector 26) during the pre-nursery class admissions two weeks ago,had filed a petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court against the school last week.

The complainants had challenged the school’s admission process and the Education Department officials were asked to look into the matter. The case will come up for hearing on Tuesday.