Confusion over admissions to nursery returns

"Last year, for nursery admissions, all schools considered 3+ or did some consider 4+ in Delhi? Please confirm, there is so much confusion," wrote Parul, a parent, on admissionsnursery.com.

"Last year, for nursery admissions, all schools considered 3+ or did some consider 4+ in Delhi? Please confirm, there is so much confusion," wrote Parul, a parent, on admissionsnursery.com.

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The website, which deals with nursery admissions-related information, has been flooded with such queries from parents seeking admission for their children.

Last year, human resource development minister Kapil Sibal had suggested that children seeking nursery admission in Delhi should be more than four years old. Such an age criteria for Delhi children is discriminatory, said Delhi education minister Arvinder Singh Lovely.

"The age limit if implemented should be done throughout the country and not only in Delhi. So, the age criteria should remain at three years and above," said Lovely.

Also, there are no clear guidelines on how to implement the Right to Education (RTE) Act yet. Last year, the admission process began on December 15 and this year too it is expected to be around the same time but schools have not received any communication from the Directorate of Education (DoE).

Principals said the guidelines were needed as soon as possible because schools will also take time to incorporate them in the admission process.

"Besides for things like getting admission forms printed, one needs to know what happens to the points system. If points system amounts to screening and one has to resort to lottery, then how does one ensure gender parity, neighbourhood criteria and the two siblings studying in different schools issues?" asked Ameeta Wattal, principal, Springdales School, Pusa Road.

Lovely said he was in talks with HRD ministry officials on RTE implementation and schools will be notified by next week.

However, Mt Carmel School, Anand Niketan, has announced the sale of admission forms from December 1 to 15, though there are no guidelines on RTE and the DoE hasn't announced the admission schedule.

"We are a minority unaided school, so we have the liberty to decide our own schedule. We have informed the DoE and have not received any objection yet," said principal VK Williams.

But Lovely said, "It amounts to violation of DoE guidelines. How can the school announce dates when the RTE guidelines are yet to be notified? All schools have to follow the common schedule and strict action will be taken against those who do not."