Schools seek addl documents, parents write to Education Dept

CHANDIGARH: Parents have flagged concerns over private schools demanding a huge list of additional documents beyond documentation notified by the Chandigarh Administration in 2011 for the purpose of granting admission to weaker sections under the Right to Education (RTE) Act.

Naina Mishra

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 4

Parents have flagged concerns over private schools demanding a huge list of additional documents beyond documentation notified by the Chandigarh Administration in 2011 for the purpose of granting admission to weaker sections under the Right to Education (RTE) Act.

The Chandigarh Parents’ Association (CPA) today sent a letter narrating the ordeal faced by the parents to the District Education Officer (DEO).

Members of the association said schools were seeking three years’ residence proof of Chandigarh, latest salary statement issued by the employer, bank account statement for the past three years, a copy of Aadhaar card, status of residence owned/rented and a copy of PAN card.

They said besides, some schools were also seeking affidavit to be given separately by both parents on Rs 15 stamp paper for EWS category. The affidavit seeks LPG connection copy and income tax return copy for the past three years.

Sonu Yadav, a resident of Ram Darbar and an EWS applicant said, “The schools are demanding number of documents and the list varies from one school to another. There is no uniformity in the documents sought by all schools. Also, there is less time to fulfil the document checklist. We were of the view that the income certificate issued by Sub Dvisional Magistrates will be sufficient.”

Meanwhile, the District Education Office has asked the Chandigarh Parents’ Association to give names of the schools seeking additional documents. Rubinderjit Singh Brar, Director, School Education, he said, “We will look into the matter.”

Public notice issued by the ut administration in 2011

Chandigarh started admitting students under the 25 per cent seats quota meant for economically weaker section of society/disadvantaged group at entry-level class in all unaided private recognised schools of UT under the RTE Act in 2010.
According to the 2011 public notice issued by the Chandigarh Administration, the EWS applicant should be a bona fide resident of Chandigarh, the annual family income of his/her parents should not exceed Rs 1,50,000 per annum and the age should be in accordance with the criteria fixed by the school concerned for admission at entry-level class.
The documentation laid by the UT Administration for EWS/disadvantaged groups included application forms of schools concerned, attested copy of family income certificate issued by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate concerned, birth certificate as proof of age and proof of residence (ration card, voter identity card, electricity bill, water bill, gas connection, valid driving licence, etc, of the parents/legal guardian).