EWS admissions: UT conducts online draw, allots 850 seats

The UT Education Department conducted an online draw for allotting seats in entry-level classes to students from the economically weaker section (EWS) and disadvantaged groups (DG) in private, unaided, recognised and non-minority schools.

A total of 850 seats were allotted and as many as 3,071 candidates participated in the draw of lots. The age criteria for admission to pre-primary classes included Level I (3-4 years), Level II (4-5 years) and Level III (5-6 years).

The department had received as many as 3,291 applications and 191 of these were rejected. In Level 1 category, all 775 seats were allotted. Thirty-five seats were allotted in Level 2 category and 40 in Level 3 category.

The admission process had started on December 14. As per provisions of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, and other related instructions, the department has demarcated the area of neighbourhood (0 to 1km, 1+ to 3km and beyond 3km) of each school.

Notably, admissions to EWS and DG students has been a bone of contention between with the department and local schools. Private schools claimed that the UT Administration has no fixed pattern for reimbursing the fee. Some schools have not received their dues for nearly a decade. The department, however, maintained that not even a single penny of reimbursement was pending.

The matter has been in the court for two years now. In the past, the department and school managements have held several rounds of discussion, but these remained inconclusive.