CCPCR seeks EWS details from schools

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 7

The Chandigarh Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CCPCR) has sought information from the District Education Office (DEO) regarding the admission of students belonging to the economically weaker section (EWS) category or disadvantaged groups.

The schools, including the minority schools, will have to provide information from the 2010-2011 academic session to 2017-18. They have to fill details such as name of entry class and minimum age for admission in the entry-level class, total number of students admitted in class, number of children belonging to the economically weaker section  or DG admitted at entry-level class.

Class-wise strength of EWS/ DG students as on September 30 is also sought by the panel.

Harjinder Kaur, Chairperson of the Chandigarh Commission for Protection of Child Rights , said: “We want to make sure that a given percentage of seats under the EWS quota are filled and no student from the economically weaker section  or DG is left behind.”

Harjinder Kaur added: “Every school is supposed to follow the norms for enrolling EWS students. This is mandatory even for the minority status schools. As a matter of fact, some of the schools’minority status is also in question.”

Parents can approach panel: Chairperson

Harjinder Kaur said: “We even received some complaints from parents previously. We called the schools concerned and got the issues pertaining to the economically weaker section enrolment resolved. Parents can always approach us as we are here to support them.”

Panel inspects transport modes

• The Chandigarh Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CCPCR) visited DAV Public School, Sector 15, Chandigarh, to inspect the mode of transportation opted by schoolchildren to ensure their safety and security. 
• During inspection, it was observed that auto-rickshaws ferrying students were overloaded, which is risky for children. 
• However, the State Transport Authority (STA), Chandigarh, has challaned the violators. On Friday, the State Transport Authority challaned one overloaded Tata Magic van in which fifteen children were commuting and one overloaded auto-rickshaw was also impounded. However, the STA made arrangements to drop the children at their respective houses.  
• Regular inspection of the overloaded rickshaws will be conducted by the commission, along with the STA and the Chandigarh Traffic Police.