Norms For Online EWS Admissions Draw Concerns From Parents

New Delhi: Delhi Government's move to make admissions under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and Disadvantaged Group (DG) categories online has drawn concerns from parents and activists about the feasibility of the online application process.

The Department of Education (DoE), however, is maintaining that parents under the category might face difficulties but the process will check corruption and fake admissions.

DoE had on Tuesday notified the schedule for admission to entry level classes in private schools under the two categories.

The department, however, clarified that only schools recognised under Delhi School Education Act and Rules (DSEAR), 1973 will be part of the online process and those recognised under Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009 and regulated by local authorities will continue the admission in the previous mode.

Till now, the government has just been issuing a common form and monitoring the draw-of-lots. The rest of the process used to be managed by the schools. In an online system, however, candidates will be allotted seats and the admission process will be centralized.

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"The new guidelines are set to create more confusion. Now there will be two categories of schools - one online and other offline in the same area. How are parents belonging to these categories supposed to do this much of homework about what school is under which category and do the running around accordingly," Khagesh Jha of Social Jurist said.

DoE officials said that the department will come out with a list on its website detailing names of schools recognised under the two categories.

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"The parents can refer to that list. As far as problems with access to computer and filing applications online are concerned, there are certain NGOs which work in the areas around certain schools to help parents in completing formalities for EWS admissions. The department has not planned anything to help out these parents yet," a senior DoE official said.

Sumit Vohra, an activist who also runs a portal on nursery admissions said, "There is no alternative arrangement for those who will not be able to apply online. Majority of the EWS parents are not computer literate. Moreover, some schools may even turn away parents citing a requirement for online application."

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"Also, unlike last year, there will be no provision of a help desk at district admission monitoring committee. The process of on-the-spot correction mechanism has not been mentioned in the notification probably because of the centralised system," he added.

Stuti Bindra, a parent said, "My maid wanted to secure admission for her child under the category and she has no clue about the online system as well as the two categories defined.

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I can do it for her but how many parents under the category can get such help?"

The move to make admissions online comes in wake of the fake admissions detected under the categories in previous years.

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In June this year, the Delhi Police Crime Branch had claimed a breakthrough in prolonged investigation into allegations of irregularities in admissions on the seats meant for poor with the arrest of seven persons.

DoE will also upload on its website a list of schools recognised under the two categories.

According to the notification, "Admission shall first be offered to eligible students belonging to EWS and DG category residing within 1 KM of the specific school. In case the vacancies remain unfilled students residing within 3 KM of the school shall be admitted."

"If there are still vacancies, then the admission shall be offered to other students residing within 6 KM of the institution. Students residing beyond 6 KM shall be admitted only in case vacancies remain unfilled even after considering all the students within 6 KM area," it added.

The admission process under the categories will begin and conclude as per the schedule of nursery admissions from January 1 to March 30.

While the last date for submitting the application is January 22, the first list will be out on February 15 followed by another list on February 29.