Chennai:
A lucky dip could ensure admission for your child's in the Lower Kindergarten (LKG) at the A R L M Matriculation Higher Secondary School, a private institution in Tamil Nadu's Cuddalore district.
Lots are drawn in the presence of parents. The children too pick lots along with their parents to decide admissions, thus ensuring a transparent system that's stress free for parents and kids.
This year there were more than 400 eligible children for the 40 seats the school had to offer. All children selected for admission were selected based on the raffle.
Under this system, there is no interview for children or parents, no background check, and no donations. It was launched three years ago after a heavy rush by parents for admission. "The ultimate aim is to be transparent. The challenge is to mould any child into an intellectual, hence we don't believe in interviewing children," Principal GS Rajayogakumar said.
Even the parents seem to be happy with the process. "The selection of school children was very open and I'm so happy my son got admitted here," Mrs Chitra, a parent, said.
Though many parents go home disappointed, none is complaining. In fact, one parent said that the government should approve more seats in such schools.
The biggest challenge the school committee encounters in this system is turning down recommendations, one of its member, Mr Arulappan, said. "Often, parents approach school committee members, offer donation and seek admission. We don't encourage anything," he said.
Authorities say the school first allots 25 per cent of seats for underprivileged children in the area. Siblings of children already studying in the school are also given admission. All other seats are filled by draw of lots.
Paucity of quality schools is a challenge to parents who are seeking their child's first entry into school. The raffle system, being transparent, promises a high degree of fairness in the selection process.