With the Supreme Court vacating the stay on nursery admissions and summer vacations round the bend, most schools in the Capital have begun nursery classes with many hoping to finish the draw of lots and start classes in the next couple of days.

“We conducted the draw of lots for remaining seats on Monday, but also started classes for students who had already been admitted.

Students who get selected in the draws today would be joining the classes by Thursday,” Sujata Malevar, Headmistress, Springdales, Dhaula Kuan, said.

While schools like Gyan Bharti School, Bluebells School and Birla Vidya Niketan (all in Saket) also conducted draw of lots on Monday, many like Tagore International School, Vasant Vihar, are expected to do so in a couple of days.

Schools like Laxman Public School and Apeejay, Saket, conducted draws last week.

But even as some schools started classes this week, others like Ahlcon Public School, Mayur Vihar, and Sanskriti School will only begin the session from July. “With little less than five days left for the school to shut for vacations, it doesn’t make sense to start classes now. Nursery classes will only commence from July 1,” R K Sharma, Principal, Ahlcon Public School, said.

Principals, however, ruled out the possibility of refunding the fees paid by parents for the April-June quarter, in which classes were not conducted. “We were not able to start classes because of the various stays put on the order. It wasn’t the fault of schools, so we don’t see why we should be refunding any money,” Abha Sehgal, Principal, Sanskriti School, said.

But parents are not pleased. “It is not fair. Since no classes were conducted in the month of April, schools should at least consider refunding fee for the month or adjusting it. Not many are ready to do it. The Directorate of Education should consider passing an order in this regard,” a parent said.

“Many parents are questioning the fairness of schools charging fees for the duration no classes were held. Some of them are not happy. But most are relieved that their children are at least in a school and that the struggle is over, never mind the additional cost,” Sumit Vohra, founder, admissions nursery.com, a parent portal, said.

True. For the last few months, Sheeba Adil had been running from pillar to post to get her daughter admitted into a good school. She tried her best to keep up with the many court orders and notifications announced by the Education department during this time, always on tenterhooks.

Monday, thus, spelled relief for the young mother as her daughter, finally, spent her first day at school. “We are absolutely jubilant. We have been waiting for this moment for months,” she said.