Nursery Admission-Seekers In A Fix As Doe Guidelines Don't Include It.

NEW DELHI: The directorate of education's failure in including rent agreements as valid document for residence proof has led to confusion among parents. A large number of parents, whose children will be vying for nursery seats, stay on rent and they have been left wondering whether the documents would be acceptable. "We generally accept rent agreement or a bank account passbook with the address on it as residence proof. We are quite flexible in this regard," said Tania Joshi, principal, The Indian School. In the past, the DoE suggested the documents.

"I live in a rented house and have gas connection and rent agreement documents. But will they be accepted as valid address proof?" asked a parent on admissionsnursery.com. The website owner, Sumit Vohra, said about a quarter of his users live on rent. "Not all schools accept the rent deed as proof. As per convention, registered rent deeds that are six months old should be added to the list of valid documents," he said. Many parents choose to move to areas rich in schools so they have more options for admitting their wards.

On the draw of lots, the guidelines say it "shall be conducted in a transparent manner, preferably in presence of parents." Vohra points out that in past years presence of parents or videography was mandatory. Making this optional gives schools permission to not allow parents during the draw. The debate on upper age limit has been on for years. There will be confusion on this too as some schools include age in their criteria and allot points to it. The guidelines are for general category and private unaided schools. Though the circular doesn't specify this, the DoE has clarified that it will be applicable to minority institutions as well.

The decision on economically weaker sections and disadvantaged groups has been welcomed by schools, though lawyer-activist Khagesh Jha maintains it is discriminatory. "Let the government handle it. Especially after last year, I don't want any problems," Joshi said. Delhi Police had cracked down on fake EWS admissions last year and even arrested a school principal.