Parents happy about new admission criteria

CHANDIGARH: With Punjab and Haryana High Court paving the way for admissions for children born April 1, 2007 and September 30, 2007, parents are breathing a sigh of relief. Not only will these children get a chance to be educated in the most-preferred city schools, but parents will no longer have to face similar difficulties with the court also saying that a uniformity in rules for all schools was required.
"We are very happy about the judgment as it is taking care of everything we asked for.They are making admissions for an 18-month slot and that is exactly what we wanted so our children are not left out. They have taken care of each and everything. Every child has the right to education, just like the way every school has the right to govern itself, but this should not hamper the education of children. We were afraid that our kids would not be admitted to these schools, but now they at least have a chance," said Kamal Panth, one of the 17 petitioners and a parent.
"We are happy about the order and at the fact that the schools are going to consider our children. It was also cleared that nowhere in the RTE did it say that the child had to be 6 years old to be in class-I, the child can turn 6 even while in class-I," said another parent, Hemani Mann.
"We would have been happier if only the petitioners were given relief, as with a general order the chances of our children would be reduced," said Deepti Mittal, one of the petitioners.
Kavita Das, principal of St John's was not available for comment.