Which documents should students show as nationality proof: Schools ask Maha edu dept

For the first time, all schools in Maharashtra have to adopt a uniform format for leaving certificates, recently developed by the department, from this academic year according to a government resolution issued on September 20. This format asks for a student’s details such as nationality and religion, which were earlier not required by most schools.

After the state government asked law aspirants to submit nationality certificates as proof of their Indian origin before confirming their admissions to Maharashtra colleges, Mumbai schools are seeking clarity on the documents required while issuing leaving certificates (LCs). They recently wrote to the education department asking if students will be required to produce nationality certificates on the lines of the law college admissions.

Schools said they couldn’t see the point of asking such details on the leaving certificate. (HT PHOTO FOR REPRESENTATION)

For the first time, all schools in Maharashtra have to adopt a uniform format for LCs, recently developed by the department, from this academic year according to a government resolution issued on September 20. This format asks for a student’s details such as nationality and religion, which were earlier not required by most schools.

Rohan Bhat, chairperson of the Children’s Academy Group of Schools in Kandivli and Malad, has filed a Right to Information (RTI) query seeking some clarity on the issue. “On what basis should we write the students’ nationality on the leaving certificates? The government didn’t accept passports as proofs in the law admissions so which documents should we ask for?” asked Bhat. He is yet to receive a reply.

Bhat said this has created confusion among many schools. “Many of the schools didn’t ask for such details earlier. It is unclear how we will collect these records which weren’t their previously,” Bhat added.

Schools said they couldn’t see the point of asking such details on the LC. “At present the department hasn’t given any explanation about why information like religion and sub-caste needs to be on the LC and how we are to check it,” said Father Francis Swamy, principal, St Mary’s (ICSE) Mazgaon and joint-secretary of the Archdiocesan Board of Education that runs 150-odd schools in Mumbai.

Swamy said their institution is uncomfortable asking students for such details. “I think this is too much. The department is going overboard asking for such information. I am against it,” said Swamy.

On the other hand, education department officials said this information will help students while seeking higher education. “Some schools don’t ask students to mention their caste in the LC. This makes it difficult for students seeking admission under quotas in colleges,” said BB Chavan, deputy director of education, Mumbai region.