Nursery : parents allege schools violating rules

New Delhi, Jan 16,2011 : After weeks of confusion over age limit and nature of selection procedure, parents seeking nursery admission for their wards are now blaming the school authorities for violation of rules.

Though the guidelines issued by the Directorate of Education (DoE), Delhi, were believed to be providing some relief, parents feel this year's nursery admission will be chaotic and full of controversies.

Parents and experts allege that taking advantage of the leverages given by the DoE guidelines, schools across the city are trying their best to make some good money. Parents allege that some schools are asking for huge sums to book their child's seat while others are profiling their education and income, openly violating the Right To Education (RTE) Act.

R P Mallik, chairman of the Federation of Public Schools in Delhi, acknowledges the violations by schools but says no action can be taken as there is no solid proof. "We have been hearing about such violations, but have not received a single written complaint, how can we take any action?

"I know parents are not coming forward fearing that their child's education will be at stake. But, I would like to tell them that their children will not get a raw deal, if they chose to bring the corruption into our notice," he assured.

Manish Kumar, a resident of Paschim Vihar, claimed that a reputed school in his locality called him up on phone to demand huge money to ensure his son's admission. "I got a call on Friday saying that I need to pay an amount of Rs 45,000 by 19th of this month," Kumar told PTI.

"They clearly told me that my son's admission depended on the payment, which was non-refundable."

Sharing a similar experience, Harprit Singh from New Rajendra Nagar, said a school in Patel Nagar asked him to deposit a demand draft of Rs 45,000 to reserve a seat for his child. "First, they confirmed us that our child has been selected for admission before the results were out on January 15. Then they asked for such an hefty amount to reserve the seat."

Sumit Vohra, who runs admissionsnursery.com, an online forum of parents, said many schools in the city have been asking parents to pay huge sums to ensure their child's admission.

"Many parents have informed us about such activities by schools. It's very unfortunate and seems to be an easy way of making money," he said. Ashok Agarwal, founder of NGO Social Jurist, concurred, saying, "It's like looting in broad day light."

A reputed school in Vasant Vihar has made it clear on its website that parents need to pay the total fee amount "in cash" at the time of their wards' admission. Also, it mentioned in bold letters that "fee once paid will not be refunded".

As per DoE norms, schools have to return the fee within 30 days after deducting the registration fee (Rs 200) and one month's tuition fee.

"How can they (the schools) break the DoE rules so openly? Why no action has not been taken on such a blatant violation, which involves a lot of money," Vohra asked. Parents also allege that the points systems devised by some schools are very vague and illogical.

There were also allegations that schools are screening children by calling them to the institution and secretly observing their activities. Similarly, profiling of parents' education and income -- which is also banned under RTE Act -- is being done by many schools.

Another issue that pinches the parents the most the is compulsory sale of school prospectus, which range between Rs 300 to Rs 500. As per the rules, it's up to parents whether they want to buy prospectus or not.

Agarwal blames the DoE guidelines for these violations and illegal methods adopted by schools. "When you allow schools to do whatever they like, such violations are bound to happen," he pointed out.

In its guidelines, the DoE has allowed schools to frame their own admission policy based on just and rational means -- a leverage which has been criticised widely by experts and parents bodies.