Chandigarh EWS admissions row: HC seeks detailed disclosure from private schools, administration over EWS admissions and fee collected
Chandigarh EWS admissions row: The Punjab and Haryana High Court initiated a detailed inquiry into the functioning of private schools in Chandigarh.
The court has sought details of fee structures and admissions under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category.
One of the primary areas of investigation involves examining the fee collections from students aged 6 to 14 across different classes in these private schools.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court seeks transparency on the amounts collected and whether they align with prescribed guidelines. The court has sought details on hiring criteria for school staff and teachers, along with their monthly compensation.
In a move to ensure inclusivity, the High Court has also sought data on the number of EWS admissions in the past five years. This inquiry intends to evaluate how effectively these schools have implemented the mandated reservation of 15% seats for economically disadvantaged students and the current status of vacant EWS-designated seats.
Expanding its scrutiny, the court has called for information from the Chandigarh Administration regarding the availability of EWS category seats in government schools, complying with the regulations outlined in the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Rules.
It comes following a dispute originating in a 2016 directive issued by the Chandigarh Administration. This order mandated that independent schools associated with the Independent School Association reserve 15% of their seats for EWS students. Subsequently, there's been a contention regarding fee reimbursements for these students, with schools asserting conditions tied to the land leased to them.
The High Court's call for comprehensive data from both private schools and the Chandigarh Administration by December 7 underscores its commitment to ensuring fair access to education and adherence to prescribed guidelines for admitting economically weaker students.
- PTC NEWS
