Fewer nursery seats likely after EWS reservation
SANA SHAKIL
NEW DELHI


With just a day left for the nurser y admission process to start, parents are nervous and unaware of what schools have `categorised'. The 25 per cent reservation for economically weaker sections (EWS) has alarm bells ringing, as school authorities feel lowering the number of seats is the only way to manage costs.

Furthermore, many schools want to know why students' conduct finds no mention in the Right to Education Act, while teachers conduct is dealt with (including specific instructions disallowing corporal punishment).
Schools now feel the only way to keep tension at bay is by admitting lesser students.

Delhi State Public Schools Management Association president RC Jain said, "Many schools in the Capital are planning to reduce the number of seats in nursery because the Right to Education (RTE) must be implemented from this year. ” The association has 1,500 recognised schools under it.

He added, “Schools are being forced to take this decision because of Government pressure. Already, the pro
posed reimbursement of the Government for the EWS category is quite less than what is actually required by schools."

Notably, the Delhi Government had earlier promised public schools additional funds required to provide free education to children from EWS but no formal announcement has been made on the exact amount till now.

The RTE Act is to be implemented from this year, under which 25 per cent seats will be reserved for EWS in all public schools in the Capital.

The earlier EWS reservation
was 15 per cent in schools built on Government land and nil in schools built on non-Government land.

Meanwhile, this news has added to parents' tension.
Harleen Kaur, mother of a 3year-old, said, "I am wondering if there is any worse news awaiting us. Already, general seats have been eaten up by the management and EWS quota and now, schools have decided to reduce seats furthermore.

The Government should take a stand on this. ” Similarly Sumit Vohra, founder of admissionsnursery.com, expressed his disappointment, saying, “If it is true, it will worsen the situation for parents. ” According to sources, lesser seats are likely in the likes of Canterbury Public School, Yamuna Vihar and Sai Memorial Girls School, Geeta Colony, among others.

A source at Canterbury Public School said, “Our school and many others had received a letter from Central Board of Secondary Education in 2008, asking us to reduce the number of seats. So, several public schools are discussing this issue.

We will be able to accommodate limited applicants this year. ” Jain also warned, “Many schools might reduce the number of nursery sections from four to three or two. ”