GURGAON: DAV Public School in Sector 10A has issued a list of 14 localities from where parents can apply for pre-nursery admissions for the next academic session. While the school says this is an attempt to encourage neighborhood students so that pupils don't have to waste time in commuting everyday, many parents have alleged bias in the process.
"Malibu Towne and South City which are more than eight kilometers away from the school are part of the list but Jacobpura, which is at a distance of less than five kilometers is not there. Is it my kid's fault that we live in what is perceived by others as a lower middle class neighborhood? They are denying a basic right to my child," said Sania Bhatia, a parent who told TOI she was denied admission form by the school staff.
"When I asked them to give me a valid reason, they said only colonies which are mentioned on the website are eligible for admission. No other explanation was provided," she added.
Another parent, Manoj Agarwal, said the argument of encouraging only neighborhood kids is false because only three of the 14 locations mentioned by the school are within five-km radius. "I have calculated the distance of online maps. They have chosen only posh colonies. Several residential areas which are much closer have been ignored. I don't even want to send my child to a school which is so prejudiced," he said.
School principal Arpana Erry said, "Children in pre-nursery are very young. We don't want buses to have long routes. Also, we have only 50 seats in this section. The list of places is given as per the school bus routes. However, we have never denied admission form to any parent."
Activists blame the state government for not having enough regulations to ensure that the schools are fair and transparent in the admission process. "Children who live in middle class localities or villages have to suffer the most. Most schools indulge in segregation in one way or another. It is happening because of gross negligence by education directorate in Panchkula. If Delhi can bring so many guidelines to make the process transparent, why can't Gurgaon," said Sumit Vohra, founder of Admissions Nursery, a community of parents of school-going kids.
Officials at district education office said they have no control over pre-nursery admission process in the city.