Govt issues nursery norms for EWS, but no admission schedule

“Schools shall accept forms from all applicants irrespective of distance of residence and segregate them slab-wise for draw of lots,” the guidelines state. Schools have been directed to ensure that admissions at all entry-level classes is done on “the existing strength of students with respect to entry-level classes at any given point of time”.

The department has also devised a common registration form and has directed all schools to use the same format. According to the guidelines, registration forms will be provided to parents free.

However, since the DoE has not issued a fixed schedule for EWS admissions or notified a grievance redressal mechanism for parents being harassed by schools, most  are viewing the guidelines as an eyewash.

“At most, the directions can be viewed as clarifications. There is no mention of a grievance redressal procedure for parents who are harassed by schools or the action the department will take in such cases. There is no schedule, no advisory — just a set of already known information,” Khagesh Jha, advocate, Social Jurist, said.

“I have visited five schools in the last two days. Forget application forms, not even one school let me inside. There is no one to complain to,” Dimple Chauhan, a parent from Trilokpuri, said.