The Delhi government may have made it clear that the minimum age for nursery admissions is three years but Mt Carmel School, which is among the most popular schools in the city, is flouting the rule.

The school, located in upscale Anand Niketan, is accepting forms from only those parents whose children will be above the age of three years and six months in March 2013. The school has, in fact, followed the same policy for the past few years.

A number of parents have complained against the school.

“I fail to understand how the school is flouting the guidelines every year and no action is being taken against it. If the government has set guidelines, it should ensure that all schools follow them,” said a parent on condition of anonymity.

The principal of the school, VK Williams, however, defended his decision.

“According to the Delhi School Education Act, a student should be at least three-and-a-half years old at the time of admission. A letter issued by the directorate of education does not supersede the act and, therefore, we are not doing anything illegal,” Williams said.

“Having studied child development, I know that a three-year-old is not suitable for nursery as the child is too young. I am not swayed by populist uninformed views that a child should go to school early in order to avoid missing a year,” he added.

The Delhi government, meanwhile, has promised action against all schools that flout the nursery admission guideline. 

Parents, however are not convinced and are expressing their anger online.

“A number of parents have complained on my website. The school has been flouting the age criteria guidelines from many years. Even after complaints in previous years no action has been taken against them,” said Sumit Vohra, founder admissionsnursery.com.