Delhi Nursery Admission 2017: List of criteria schools cannot set for admissions to Nursery in #Delhi

Nursery Admissions for the year 2017 have started in Delhi from Monday. While there is certain confusion and chaos regarding the 298 schools who have been barred from starting the admissions until further notice, many schools have already started getting application forms. The list of criteria is posted on the websites of many schools. This time, however, is very stressful for parents trying to find a spot for their child in one of the leading schools. While the schools post the criteria of admission and the selection process, parents should be mindful of the criteria that schools cannot set for admissions to nursery in Delhi as per High Court ruling. (List of schools barred from starting Nursery Admissions from Jan. 2)

Parents are advised to note that the admissions in Nursery and entry level classes in Delhi – for private unaided schools is also regularized by the Delhi Government. The Hon’ble High Court of Delhi had upheld 51 out of 62 criteria in WPC 448 last year against the unaided recognized schools. As per the order, the list of following criteria is ambiguous and cannot be used to assign points for admissions in nursery/ entry classes. Parents should note these points to be certain that any iteration of the same is not used while assigning points for admission of their wards.

List of criteria that cannot be used by the Schools for assigning points as per ruling of the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi
Schools cannot assign points to students if the child’s parent/s have transferable jobs.
Parents education cannot be a determiner for admission of a child in entry classes.

While the ward of a parent working in that school can be considered, the wards of parents working in sister concern schools cannot be considered as a justified ground of points.
No points can be assigned or deducted if both the parents of the child are working, equal opportunity to be given to single parent, both working, single parent working, etc.

No additional points for first cousins studying in the school – either paternal or maternal.
Schools cannot assign additional points to children on grounds of talent in music or sports as it is unjustifiable to expect a 3 to 6 year old display exceptional talent in the fields.

Points cannot be assigned for Social or Nobel Cause as there are no parameters to ascertain the merit of the acts.
Mother’s qualification of passing class 12th is not considered a just point criteria as India is still a developing country and this point cannot be given extra weightage.

Read | Playschools in country soon to come under Government Regulation, NCPCR ready with guidelines
Schools cannot assign points to parents who are non-smokers, non-alcoholic or vegetarians; as per the ruling the choices of parents cannot be held against offering admisesion to a child in a school.

Special achievements of parents, government employees, professional expertise and business/service criteria cannot be used to assign additional points for admission process as children deserve equal opportunity.
Schools can also not refuse admission on the basis of the economic condition of the parents, the ability of the parent to pay all term fees or the cultural background of the parents. Assigning points based on joint family, management discretion, child’s permanent residence by birth are also ruled against by the High Court for being discriminatory.

Schools cannot interview the children nor base the admission on any screening test at entry level. Similarly, schools cannot seek scholarly records of children’s previous school as a condition at that level.

Apart from the above mentioned reason, a detailed list of points which are ambiguous is provided on the official website of Directorate of Education. Also, parents are informed that no first come first serve basis of admission can be set by any school. Since the admissions are open till a certain date, schools have to honor all applications equally. In case excess applications are received, the schools would have to carry out the admission process on the basis of draw of lots. The draw of lots has to be conducted in the manner as specified by the Notice of Delhi Government regarding the Delhi Nursery School Admissions for year 2017