Only 3 minority schools reserve 15% EWS seats

Naina Mishra

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 4

Chandigarh’s minority status private schools have again failed to reserve 15 per cent seats for the economically weaker sections (EWS) — which is mandatory under the Land Allotment Scheme.

Of the 21 minority private schools, 11 have not given any details sought by the District Education Officer (DEO), including the number of seats in the entry-level classes; six schools have shown seats at the entry-level, but did not reserve EWS seats; and four schools have shown reservation for the EWS category. The minority schools which have allotted seats for the EWS are Chandigarh Baptist School, St Stephen’s School, and Sri Guru Harkrishan Public School, whereas Ajit Karam Singh International Public School (minority institution) has reserved only five per cent seats for the EWS.

Parents have demanded cancellation of land for not complying with the scheme.

Nitin Goyal, president of the Chandigarh Parents Association, said: “The private schools are so money-minded that they neither care for their social responsibility nor legal obligations. The schools have been opened under the garb of charitable trusts while their only motive is profiteering. The UT Administration should cancel the allotment of lands and take over the schools which refuse to admit children from the EWS category.”

The Director of School Education, RS Brar, said: “We will seek details from the DEO and then examine the issue.”

Data shows more pending income certificate

While the DC office had claimed previously that 20 income certificate were pending, the data collected by the DEO suggests that at least 348 forms were received with receipts (income certificate applied) and 2,090 forms were with or without affidavit.

Private schools yet to decide draw dates

Meanwhile, private schools have been keeping mum over the dates for the draw of lots for the EWS/DG category in speculation of any further extension. However, an Education Department official confirmed that there was no demand for the extension of dates now.

“As there is no intimation from the Education Department about the extension, we will decide the date for the draw of lots anytime soon this week,” Reema Dhawan, Principal, Delhi Public School.

Chitkara International School’s draw date is February 5 at 3:30 pm and Shivalik Public School’s date is scheduled on February 23 at 10 am.

This year, 4,162 forms were received for the EWS/D against 765 seats. There has been an increase of 34 EWS seats from the last year.

Facts and figures

• Total seats in entry class: 4,014 (exclusive of 14 schools that did not supply information) 
• Total seats reserved under EWS/RTE Act: 765 seats
• Total forms received under RTE Act: 4,162
• No of forms received with income certificate issued by Estate Officer: 1,064
• No of forms received with receipt (applied for income certificate): 348
• No of forms received under disadvantaged group: 660
• Forms with affidavit or without affidavit: 2,090

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Number of admission forms under RTE ACT

• Chitkara International School, Sec 25: 355 forms/30 seats
• Stepping Stone School, Sec 38-A: 243 forms/20 seats
• Bhavan Vidyalaya School (Junior) School, Sec 33: 187 forms/25 seats
• Shivalik Public School, Sec 41: 187 forms/26 seats
• Strawberry Field World School, Sec 26: 180 forms/40 seats