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EWS reimbursement to be increased to Rs 1,600 per child from next year
The education department has decided to increase the reimbursement amount for admission of economically weaker section (EWS) students in Chandigarh by Rs 900 from the next academic session.
The education department has decided to increase the reimbursement amount for admission of economically weaker section (EWS) students in Chandigarh by Rs 900 from the next academic session.
The decision was taken during a meeting between director school education (DSE) Rubinderjit Singh Brar and representatives of private schools on Monday.
Read more | Scholarship schemes for EWS, girl student: Chandigarh shows the way
At present, an amount of Rs 750 per child is given as reimbursement to schools for enrolling the EWS children. “The amount will be increased to around Rs 1,600 from next year,” said Brar. “But it is yet to be approved by a high-power committee constituted by the UT adviser. Once it is done, we will issue circulars.”
The committee comprises three senior officers — education-cum-finance secretary Sarvjit Singh, Chandigarh Housing Board chairman Maninder Singh and transport secretary KK Jindal.
Independent Schools’ Association president HS Mamik said, “It was discussed during the meeting that the reimbursement amount will be increased to approximately Rs 1,700 from next session.”
Self-attesting of documents: Schools raise concern
Mamik said he along with other private schoolheads also raised their concern over the recently announced self-attestation process for EWS admissions by deputy commissioner (DC).
“Schools are not supposed to verify their details. It is government’s job. I have suggested time and again that the UT should do this with the help of its child mapping data as per the Right to Education (RTE),” Mamik said.
Brar said, “Since we have not received any written order in this regard, we will assume that the EWS certificates will be prepared by the DC office/estate office.” Saupin’s School director-principal ABS Sidhu said, “How can the schools verify students’ details? What authority do they have to demand information? Are they expected to play detective now?”
