Parents under scanner for kids admissions

Updated on: Friday, February 04, 2011

Parents seeking pre-primary admission for their children for the 2011-12 academic year have been interviewed about their income details and whether they have the internet at home. This despite the fact that interviews were banned after the Right to Education (RTE) Act was implemented. One school also asked parents to get character certificates from the police, even though only the childs birth certificate and proof of residence is needed for pre-primary admission.

With the admission period to the pre-primary sections of various city schools winding down, it has come to light that parents have been asked about income certificates, PAN cards and other details. Worried parents are consulting educational forums and other advisors for help and guidance. The Forum for Fairness in Education has revealed that it has received complaints from parents about interviews during which they have been put under the scanner. "I received numerous complaints from parents during November and December about such incidents. Schools are suddenly demanding things that dont even make sense", said Jayant Jain, president of the forum. A school in the Pedder Road area reportedly delved into the income details of parents. Parents were called in for more than one interview and asked about their income bracket, PAN card information and if they had a computer and internet at home. Jain said, "Apparently, the parents were told that the school only sends notices out on its website, so parents need the internet to check them at home. Parents thought it odd that the schools didnt want to also paste its notices on notice boards. Another school in Juhu recently shocked parents by seeking character certificates from them. Parents seeking pre-primary admission for children were asked to submit the childs birth certificate and a character certificate duly approved by the local police.

"We had no clue what all this meant", said a member of a local forum approached by the parents.
As per the demands made by the school, the character certificate had to be obtained from the crime branch of the police and have details of any previous criminal cases the parents were involved in. The school specified it wanted all these details within 10 days. Interestingly, the schools website only mentions the need for the childs birth certificate for preprimary admission. The Juhu schools principal refused to comment on the issue.

Parents under scanner for kids admissions

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