Nursery admission for EWS kids from Jan 22, no age limit set by govt
NEWDELHI: Nursery admissions in private schools in the city for students under the economically weaker section and disadvantaged group categories will begin from January 22.
The government this time has imposed an upper age limit for admission to entry level classes in this category even though there was no age limit for admission on general seats.
As per a circular issued by the directorate of education, for EWS/DG applicants, the age limit for admission to nursery is 3-5 years, for KG is 4-6 years and for Class I it is 5-7 years.
The government’s move, however, was criticised by advocate Khagesh Jha, who works in the field of education.
“The fixation of upper age limit, even for disabled kids, is Illegal . There is no upper age limit for general category by the Directorate of Education (DOE) but they have imposed it on EWS/ DG category. I request intervention from the chief minister to protect the poor kids,” Jha said.
DOE director Saumya Gupta, however, maintained the department was following all rules.
“The high court had vacated the stay on upper age limit as decided by a circular dated December 18, 2015. Legally, it was possible to put an upper age limit. However, to give parents enough time to plan, we decided to implement this from next year for all children, whether general category or EWS. We have followed the precedent of last year for both general and EWS admission.
“Without pitting any age bracket in the EWS category, even 8 and 12 years can get admission in nursery during the com- puterised draw of lots. That is not practically implementable and will cause inconvenience to parents thus we have followed precedent of previous years,” she said.
For general category/open seats admission, the government imposed an upper age limit (4 years for nursery, 5 years for KG and 6 years for Class I) but said it will be implemented from next year so as to give parents enough time to plan.
Families with annual income less than Rs 1 lakh can seek admission under the EWS category, the DG category applicants include — SC, ST, OBC, noncreamy layer, physically challenged, orphan and transgender and all children living with or affected by HIV.
“Admissions of the EWS and DG category shall be made through computerised lottery system in the said schools against 25 per cent seats reserved,” the notification said. The application process for the categories will begin on January 22 and will conclude on February 21.