Parents, schools against quashing of points system

Even as the high court is yet to pronounce a verdict on the points system for nursery admissions, schools and parents are not satisfied with the proposed reconsideration of the system. The Delhi government's education department, however, remained tight-lipped on the matter, stating that the system of draw of lots was being looked upon as an alternative.

Even as the high court is yet to pronounce a verdict on the points system for nursery admissions, schools and parents are not satisfied with the proposed reconsideration of the system. The Delhi government's education department, however, remained tight-lipped on the matter, stating that the system of draw of lots was being looked upon as an alternative.

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"The education department had cleared its position and will follow what the Central government decides on the matter. It is believed that the points system gives more autonomy to schools than what is required. So the system of draw of lots is being looked upon as a viable option based on neighbourhood locations. We will see how it unfolds," said a senior Delhi government official.

Meanwhile, schools are against doing away with the points system, claiming that the new system will miss out on important parameters that need to be considered when admitting a child.

"If the points system is done away with, then it will be very difficult to deal with the situation. There has to be a suitable enough alternative. If we just conduct a draw of lots, how will we take into account siblings and other such criteria? Without a viable alternative, this option is not suitable for private schools," said Jyoti Bose, principal, Springdales School (Dhaula Kuan).

The city's private schools also said that while the lottery system will not adequately consider other important criteria, the move will take away schools' autonomy.

"Quashing the points system will take away our autonomy. We have been fulfilling our obligations in every way. Our parameters of admission had been sent to the education department and complete transparency was maintained. This move is very restricting for schools because we are not government-aided," she added.

Parents remained divided in their opinion. While some parents who have borne the brunt of nursery admissions favoured the move, others said quashing the points system will only make the system more arbitrary.