The capital’s private schools may soon be required to furnish information about vacancies under the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) category on a regular, real-time basis. In a move meant to bring transparency in EWS admissions, the Directorate of Education (DoE) is planning to create an online system, where schools will be required to update EWS vacancies schools real time.
By Shikha Sharma
In another circular, the DoE has asked all schools to upload details of criteria adopted by them for nursery admissions on its website. “Further, all DDEs shall monitor the uploading of the said information by private unaided recognised schools and ensure that the exercise is completed by January 3,” the circular states.
“The idea is to use technology to make the system more transparent and use it to facilitate EWS admissions. Schools have been repeatedly asked to update this information, but clearly that hasn’t been very effective. So, we have decided to create a dynamic, real-time system where schools will have to update vacancies on an everyday basis, so that parents have all the information they need at the click of a mouse,” Anindo Majumdar, DoE secretary, said.
The directorate will be sending circulars to schools in this regard very soon.
In 2013, the DoE had instructed Delhi’s private unaided schools to display information about seats available in all classes under both general and EWS category online on a weekly basis.
Citing a 2010 Central Information Commission order, it had also asked schools to display on a board — easily visible from outside the school — the total number of seats in all classes for general and EWS categories, seats still available under EWS, total applications received under EWS and information about when the EWS applications will be received and the date by which admission will be granted to students.
But most schools failed to provide the information or display it mobile casino on their notice boards. “Even after repeated directions from the High Court, schools have failed to provide any information, making it extremely difficult for EWS parents to even figure out vacancies. The system where information needs to be submitted hasn’t been updated in more than a year. The new system will really help parents in at least figuring out vacancies,” Khagesh Jha, advocate, Social Jurist, said.
Bringing more clarity on grievance redressal for EWS admissions in nursery, the directorate has said parents can either submit complaints to the deputy director of education in their zone or submit it online on the department’s website.
It also instructed schools to bring out a single list of students admitted in general and EWS categories. “Schools shall display a single list mentioning the names in alphabetical order of selected general category and EWS/DG children,” the circular states.
In addition to income certificate, BPL ration card and AAY card, the DoE has clarified that the food security card will also be accepted as proof for applying under EWS category at entry level.