Now, district administration to hold tests for #EWS students

Gurgaon: The district administration is planning to conduct an admission test for EWS (economically weaker section) students from this academic session because of the reluctance of private schools in admitting EWS students on the pretext of lack of merit. EWS students seeking admission in classes I to VIII will have to take the test, officials said. According to district education officials, all students who have applied for EWS admission for this academic session under Section 134A of the Haryana School Education Rules will be made to take a test and only the ones clearing the test with at least 50% marks will be eligible for admissions.However, according to the RTE Act, no child under the age of 14 can be subjected to any type of screening for a school admission.

Both parent representatives and school managements have already expressed their reservations about the test, citing the RTE. “Most of these parents are not highly educated. Some misinformation about the structure of the test or study material has got them worried over their child’s performance in the test,” said Ramphal Sheroan, secretary of Haryana Abhibhavak Ekta Manch, a parents’ association.”Section 134A mentions merit as the qualifying criterion for admissions under the EWS category.