Norms for online EWS admissions draw concerns from parents

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 centralised. 

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