up the principal of the city’s famous 175-year-old La Martiniere for Boys School and three other teachers and booked them for handing out corporal punishment to a student, who later committed suicide. Sunirmal Chakravarthy and the three others were later freed on bail. Corporal punishment was declared illegal by the Supreme Court in 2000 and the government has said beating kids in schools has no place in a teaching system focussed on reducing stress and enhancing analytical skills. As the government has dithered on enacting a specific law, teachers have continued to lean on the cane. But few expected premier institutions like La Martiniere for Boys to condone the practice which came to light after Rouvanjit Rawla, a Class VIII student, committed suicide at his home on February 12, four days after he was caned. The 13-year-old’s suicide shocked the city, setting off a clamour for action against the school which initially refused to even allow police officers dealing with the suicide to meet teachers. On Monday, detectives rounded up principal Chakravarthy, head of the middle school L G Gunion and two other teachers, David Ryan and Partha Datta, before daybreak and produced them at the chief metropolitan magistrate’s court. The cops wanted to book them for abetting suicide but the court disallowed that charge for lack of evidence. The teachers were booked under sections 323 and 324 of IPC that relate to “voluntarily causing hurt” by a dangerous weapon or other means, section 352 of IPC pertaining to use of criminal force, and section 23 of the Juvenile Justice Act, invoked against acts of cruelty by the custodian, in this case teachers. City Principals React Corporal punishment dehumanizes the child but arresting teachers is not the answer to the problem. AMEETA MULLA WATTAL SPRINGDALES SCHOOL, PUSA ROAD If the police have taken stern action, it can’t be wrong. A principal has to be answerable for teachers’ actions. ABHA SEHGAL SANSKRITI SCHOOL I can’t comment if the action is adequate or not. But when the law says that corporal punishment is wrong, we completely agree with it. ADITI MISRA | DPS GURGAON…
hools that are awarding points for teetotalism, not smoking, backgrounds that are culturally mixed and even age. Cambridge Primary School (New Friends' Colony) has points allocated for 'cultural linguistic integration and parents with inter-cultural background' and on a more positive note, the school has allocated points not just for children with special needs but also for physically challenged parents - a rarity. Mahavir Senior Model School's decision to award points for points for teetotalism, vegetarianism and non-smokers had raised activists' and parents' hackles last year. Those criteria have returned for this round. Parents who have been active in community service or have otherwise contributed to society stand a better chance in several schools, including Cambridge (10 points to 'parents' contribution to the community'), Bal Bhavan Public School, Mayur Vihar, (5 points for 'Children of state/national awardees') and Vasant Valley School (upto 20 points for 'Promotion of Indian Heritage/Exceptional Achievement/significant inspirational work for the nation / any other'). Bal Bhavan is allowing points also for Defence and Navy Services. "There is a category called RAA or Representative Affirmative Action in one school. I have asked the principal how they check and they said through a computer programme. It's nothing but screening," says Sumit Vohra of admissionsnursery.com. Nearly all schools allot points for alumni but Springdales Schools will award points - from 20-25 - on the basis of former students' "contribution" to the schools while he/she was still studying there and the extent of their engagement, or "bonding," with the school after leaving it.
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controversy over admissions to nursery classes in city schools, is likely to come out with admission guidelines early this year, possibly by October. The Directorate of Education (DoE) under the Delhi government is already holding meetings and consultations with schools. “We were told in our meeting with directorate officials that the guidelines this year may come as early as October,” Bharat Arora, chairman, Mount Abu Public School, said. Principals, who attended the meeting, said schools suggested sticking to the Ganguly Committee recommendations for admissions to nursery classes. “We have recommended sticking to the Ganguly Committee guidelines. But the department has invited suggestions and ideas from us,” Arora said. The next meeting with DoE officials is expected to be held over the course of the week. In line with directions of the Delhi High Court, the Ganguly Committee, headed by CBSE chairman Ashok Ganguly, has laid down recommendations for admissions to nursery classes. On September 9, the DoE had told the High Court that it expected to notify a new policy for admissions to nursery classes within 10 days. Last year, the process was stalled repeatedly by court cases, challenging the new guidelines framed by the Lt-Governor of Delhi Najeeb Jung. The guidelines were changed midway, delaying the admission process. “If all goes according to plan, the guidelines may be announced by October to avoid last-minute problems. But this is yet to be approved,” a DoE official told Newsline. But, the fate of the guidelines this year could also depend on a Supreme Court case slated to be heard on October 10. “The Supreme Court decision on applicability of RTE in nursery admissions is coming up on October 10. If the court says RTE is applicable for nursery admissions, everything will have to be done in accordance with RTE, which would mean that admissions would be done based on draw of lots and neighbourhood criteria,” Ashok Agarwal, lawyer, Social Jurist, said. Schools, nonetheless, are upbeat about the guidelines coming early. “It gives us that much more time to prepare. Nursery admissions are a hectic time,” Ameeta Mulla Wattal, principal, Springdales, Pusa Road, said. - See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/nursery-admission-guidelines-likely-to-be-announced-early-this-year/#sthash.IOOLYHk1.dpuf…
rsery admissions this year. The points awarded under the "alumni" category could be capped or completely scrapped, sources say. The Delhi government has asked various stakeholders including schools and parents associations for suggestions to form the guidelines for the 2015-16 academic session. However, the government is reluctant to change the guidelines fixed by the Lieutenant Governor last year, despite a pressing demand for change, due to delays in the admission process in the last session, sources said. Springdales School (Pusa Road) principal and National Progressive Schools Conference chairperson, Ameeta Mullah Wattal in her letter (this newspaper has a copy of said letter) to the Director of Education earlier this year said, "We are all aware of the challenges faced by the government, schools and the parent community regarding admissions in the 2014-15 session. To avoid litigation and unnecessary confusion, we request that the criteria for admission should be made more flexible." The suggestions made by the NPSC includes that distance points, apart from fixed kilometres, also be given to parents who use their own transportation. Besides, the NPSC has also recommended a cap on points awarded under alumni and sibling categories; establishing a quota of seats for children with special needs; and management committees having discretion in admissions for up to 20%. Schools are in favour of capping alumni points but most parents want this category to be scrapped. However, there has been no response from the DoE so far on the issue. "The guidelines for 2015-16 session may come by October-end. The directorate is in a process of consultations with the various stakeholders," a DoE official said. Neena Bhatt, a parent seeking admission for her first-born daughter this year, said, "Alumni points must be totally scrapped. Most of the parents have no benefit of these points. There are points for siblings already, in which case, parents of first-born children are at the losing end. The admission criteria must be fair." Sumit Vohra of admissionsnursery.com, said, "A large number of parents have given their suggestions through the forum to streamline the admission process. In some cases last year, schools using online mapping devices accepted the 0-8 km distance from school to home but not from home to school. This was a strange situation where parents due to construction work on roads/flyovers etc missed the criteria by 0.5-1 km."…
A caravan plays a very important role in several people. This really is particularly so to these people which are fond of camping internet sites in several days and going for holidays. For that…
e especially unhappy with schools that sell and accept only physical copies of forms.
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NEW DELHI: Several schools started the nursery admission process on Saturday with some conducting it on campus. This year's staggered admission process has drawn a mixed response from parents. While some say it will help them apply to more schools, others find it inconvenient. K N Saha, who is collecting forms for his grandson, said, "Different dates make it easier for us. We can't cover all the schools in a short period of time". However, Jaspreet Gill, a doctor seeking admission for his first child, said, "The schedules are a problem. It's like we have nothing else to do but keep checking school websites for the next 15 days". Parents are especially unhappy with schools that sell and accept only physical copies of forms. "Why call us here? They don't even let you look around," said a parent standing in a queue on the road outside a school for the second time on Saturday. The impact of varying schedules was most evident from the near-absence of EWS-category applicants. The website of Springdales School (Pusa Road), said, "EWS forms will be given when the department of education gives permission to do it as 25% of EWS is their purview (sic)". Springdales principal Ameeta Mulla Wattal said, "That is the prerogative of the government. They haven't uploaded the form on their website yet, how can we start? For the rest, the high court has granted us freedom and autonomy and there's no stay so we have gone ahead". Whatever their views on the process, parents queued up for forms on Saturday. The Indian School sold over 750 on the first day. Long queues were also seen outside Summer Fields School (Kailash Colony) and KR Mangalam World School (Greater Kailash). Springdales (Dhaula Kuan), Maxfort (Dwarka) and DAV Centenary Public School (Paschim Enclave) also started selling forms on Saturday while some other schools announced their schedules. Raghubir Singh Junior Modern School will start the process on January 5; St Francis de Sales (Janakpuri) on January 2. Sanskriti School will start its process on December 23. Each school has its own point-distribution system. Mrinalini Mehta, a parent, reckoned she has a good chance at The Indian School. "I will get points for distance and 'first child'" she said, adding, "Elsewhere, I'll get points for 'girl child'". What parents are less sure about is the number of seats. Restoration of management quota means there are fewer open seats this year. "This year could turn out to be the worst since 2007. Parents will have to run around from December 20 to January 20, just to collect and submit the forms," said Sumit Vohra of admissionsnursery.com, adding, "The differing schedules could also make collecting fee refunds difficult".
THE HINDU- Nursery admissions begin in the Capital
But some schools are awaiting the Supreme Court verdict
Many schools in the Capital started Nursery admissions on Saturday despite the Directorate of Education on Friday asking the schools to put them on hold till January 5.
Schools like Sanskriti School, Springdales School and DAV Public School started admissions, while others like Delhi Public School have decided to adopt the wait-and-watch policy and will start admissions after the Supreme Court verdict.
Schools in East and West Delhi saw parents, in large numbers, queuing up to buy application forms. Schools in Central Delhi and South Delhi released the forms online.
Parents will now have to buy individual forms for all schools they want to apply at. Some of the schools that had earlier announced to start admissions on Saturday delayed the procedure after the DOE notice.
Kapil Arora, seeking admission for his daughter in Dashmesh Public School in East Delhi said: “The admission procedure this year is very confusing. The schools are not declaring anything properly.”
Sumit Vohra from nurseryadmissions.com said: “Around 70 schools had announced to start admissions from Saturday, but only a few creamy layer schools started it. Others are starting from January 5, but many have not even declared the admission dates putting parents in a fix.”
Another point of worry for the parents this year is that the admission procedure has been prolonged. “Parents will have to run from pillar to post as schools are issuing forms till January 20 and January 31. This would also mean that the fee refund policy of the DOE will not be applicable in case a parent wants to withdraw admission from one school and go to another as the fee refund is valid only for one month,” added Mr. Vohra.
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DAINIK JAGRAN
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y-ridden mission to secure a seat for their tiny tot in a private school. A bit of preparation goes a long way in easing the jitters as well as increasing the chances of success. Here’s how you can get a headstart: NUMBER GAME There isn’t any formula to ensure that your child gets admission in a school of your choice. But parents who have already been through the grind suggest that one should apply to at least 10 to 15 schools. “It makes more sense to shortlist as many as 15 schools. As most of them will have different admission criteria, as allowed by the Delhi government this year, there can be some confusion on how good one’s chances are of getting through. You should apply to not less than 10 schools, even if you are sure of securing admission in one,” Sumit Vohra, author of Nursery School Admissions — Tips and Suggestions, said. Vohra had applied to 11 schools for his daughter in 2008 NO ROOM FOR ERROR
Filling up of the application form, according to school principals, has no room for errors. “ The form is the first interface between the parents and the school. So, it’s important that specific instructions mentioned by schools should be followed while filling application forms. A careless error or wrong information in the form works against parents,” Sujata Maleyvar, headmistress of Springdales School- Dhaula Kuan, said. Online registration has gained popularity with many schools over the past few years. Some institutions have, in fact, entirely switched over to this mode. “ It is parent- friendly as they can apply from anywhere and at any time,” L. V. Sehgal, principal of Bal Bharati School, said. Online registration, however, has its own share of problems.“ It turns into a nightmare when the server is down,” Vohra, who also runs a web portal called admissionsnursery. com, said.To avoid this, one should fill online forms at non- peak hours. “ Don’t wait for the last day to apply. A large number of parents do this, which causes server overload and leads to delays and problems,” Sehgal said. “ Parents should note down the registration number provided after online registration. This is a proof of application and could be useful during admission. It’s even better to take a printout of the web page displaying your registration number,” Vohra said.The online form should not be submitted twice since it could be rejected because of duplication. CHECK YOUR PAPERS Keep the original documents asked for by the schools handy since every school calls in parents to verify them. Document requirements are school- specific and it’s best if parents check with the schools individually. For instance, Springdales prefers the passport or voter ID- card as proof of residence while Ahlcon International School in Mayur Vihar accepts the MTNL bill or electricity bill. Parents are also advised to keep attested copies of the original documents. “ We do not keep original documents. Parents will have to submit c.
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िभावकों के लिए राहत ला रही हैं तो कहीं सिरदर्द भी बन रही है। बच्चों का दाखिला होते न देख अभिभावक भी आपा खोने लगे हैं। ऐसे ही परेशान अभिभावकों ने दिल्ली के नामी स्कूल स्प्रिंगडेल्स पूसा रोड में हंगामा किया।
स्प्रिंगडेल्स स्कूल पूसा रोड और कीर्ति नगर की शाखा में आर्थिक पिछड़े वर्ग की 26 और वंचित समूह की 17 सीटों के लिए लॉटरी होनी थी। इतनी कम सीटों के लिए तीन से चार हजार अभिभावक पहुंच गए। पहले तो अभिभावकों की परेशानी कम सीटों को लेकर रही। उसके बाद वे लॉटरी शुरू होने से पहले ही एक से छह किलोमीटर के दायरे में आने वाले बच्चों की एक साथ लॉटरी की मांग करने लगे। हंगामा इतना बढ़ा कि निदेशालय की ओर से मौजूद प्रतिनिधि अतिरिक्त शिक्षा अधिकारी चित्रा गुप्ता ने लॉटरी ही रदद् कर दी। इससे गुस्साए अभिभावकों ने स्कूल के बाहर जाम लगाया।
स्कूल की प्रिंसिपल अमिता मूला वॉटल ने बताया कि उपराज्यपाल के निर्देश पर जारी गाइडलाइंस के तहत पहले एक किलोमीटर वालों को प्राथमिकता मिलेगी। उसके बाद सीटें खाली रहने पर तीन किलोमीटर और उसके बाद भी सीटें खाली रहती हैं तो छह किलोमीटर वालों को मौका देना है।
अमिता मूला वॉटल ने बताया कि मंगलवार को होने वाली सामान्य वर्ग की लॉटरी को लेकर अभी कुछ कहा नहीं जा सकता।
दूसरी ओर डीएवी श्रेष्ठ विहार में हंगामे की बात सामने आ रही है। स्कूल की प्रिंसिपल प्रेम लता गर्ग ने इसे नकारते हुए कहा कि लॉटरी की वीडियोग्राफी कराई गई है। कुछ लोग जानबूझ कर परेशान करने का काम कर रहे हैं।
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Among the many benefits of being a vegetarian, admission for your toddler at a good nursery school in Delhi seems to be an added bonus.
The nursery admissions, which began on 1 January in over 1,800 private unaided schools in the nation's capital witnessed several technical hiccups as well as confusion over the criteria for admissions.
According to a report in the DNA, several schools such as the Mahavir Senior Model School at Sangam Park Extension are giving 5 points each for children whose parents are vegetarian, nonsmokers and teetotallers."Schools are blatantly violating norms and there should be some check on them," said Sumit Vohra, a Delhi-based activist.
Springdales, Dhaula Kuan, on the other hand, is emphasising on linguistic and regional minority, including inter-caste parents, says a report in India Today.
"It is shocking to see that schools have such arbitrary rules as inter-caste parents as admission parameters. There are already so many parameters; these only lead to chaos and trouble," a parent who wishes to send her first child to Springdales said.
A PTI report states that the Directorate of Education (DoE) had asked the all the unaided recognised schools to "develop and adopt criteria for admission which shall be clear, well defined, equitable, non-discriminatory, unambiguous and transparent". But still, over 35 schools are yet to notify their admission criteria accurately.
According to guidelines issued by DoE, all schools shall comply with the directive that the number of seats at entry- level shall not be less than the highest number of seats in the entry class during the years 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-2016.
From 2016 onwards, the government has also fixed an upper age limit for admission to entry level classes with the maximum age for nursery admissions being set at four years and five and six years for pre-primary and class-I.
The nursery admission process in Delhi schools have begun from 1 January and will conclude on 31 March 2016.
(With inputs from PTI)
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