New guidelines for nursery admissions

The new guidelines attempt to balance out factors like uneven distribution of schools in some areas, which lead to many children not getting admission in any school, report HV Nair and A Mukherjee.

A committee headed by CBSE chairman Ashok Ganguly on Friday submitted before the Delhi High Court a fresh set of recommendations, revising the 100-point system for nursery admissions in city schools. The new guidelines attempt to balance out factors like uneven distribution of schools in some areas, which led to many children not getting admission in any school in this academic session.

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The new scale also tries to contain the somewhat undue advantage siblings of existing students and children of alumni had in some schools.
In the report, the committee has increased points for children living within 3 km of the school from 20 to 30 points. But it has expanded the outer limit of the neighbourhood from 10 to 15 km.

Applicants living within 10-15 km will receive 12 points.

Similarly, the high weightage given to siblings, alumni and the educational qualifications of parents — factors criticised by both parents and schools — has been reduced. Siblings of existing students will now get 15 points instead of 20. But schools will have the discretion to apply a 20 per cent cap on the total number of seats offered to siblings.

Incorporating a new category to make classrooms a “microcosm of the society outside” the panel has proposed that SC and ST students be given 5 points. Usha Ram, chairperson, National Progressive Schools’ Conference, said: “The 5 points for SC and ST students do not add up as we already give 15 per cent of seats to disadvantaged groups.”

The court will hear the recommendations on August 2. If accepted, the rules will be applicable for admissions in the academic session 2008-09.