A new system, the multiple lotteries and point system, was introduced to improve transparency and fairness in school admissions.
The nursery admissions in Delhi schools this year have turned into a nightmare for both parents and schools.
A new system, the multiple lotteries and point system, was introduced to improve transparency and fairness. Sadly it has turned into a lottery game.
Under the new guidelines of the Lieutenant Governor, schools have to conduct a lottery for the economically weaker sections (25 per cent quota), the general category (70 per cent which would include the five per cent girl child quota) and the staff quota (five per cent quota).
Apart from this, there is another complicated point system for the general category that allows: 70 points if you live within the eight km radius of the school, 20 points if you have a sibling in the school and five points each for transfer and alumni categories.
That's not all. Schools are complaining that they are getting thousands of applications for a few seats. At Vasant Valley School, 3612 kids applied for just 68 seats in the general quota, while in the girl child category, 1065 applications were received for just four seats. At DPS RK Puram, 2000 kids applied for 20 odd seats.
However, the problem does not end there. In fact, the biggest issue is turning out to be the transfer system. Several parents are allegedly creating fake transfers by shifting to the neighbourhood of their choice so that they can get admissions. In the process, those living in the area, lose out.
Tarun Gupta, who lives close to the Vasant Valley School, says "Right across the road is Vasant Valley School, but I have not even been considered for the lottery system because I only have the points for distance, not the extra five points for transfer."
In fact, at the Heritage School in Delhi, almost all those who have made it to the list are those who shifted base. Sumit Vohra of Nursery.com says, in all schools, transfer cases are taking up anything between 40% to 75% seats.