Bengaluru schools flout rules, start admissions for next year

BENGALURU:  It’s just been five months since the current academic year has begun, but some city-based private schools have already started the process for admitting students for the 2018-19 academic year.  
Despite a direction from the Department of Public Instruction that the admission process can start only by April first week every year, schools are issuing circulars to parents and some have also opened admission information desks at the school premises.

Presently schools have opened bookings for siblings. Speaking to Express, a parent said, “We were shocked to receive a circular from my daughter’s school last week. They have just re-opened after Dasara vacation and already started the admission process for the next academic year. The circular asks us to reserve a slot if there are siblings.”

As per the information available with Express, several schools in the city have started the process. For example, a school in Bengaluru South has put up the admission desk outside the premises trying to attract students. A prime school in Rajarajeshwari Nagar sent a circular to parents asking them to reserve the seat if they need one for siblings for pre-nursery classes. A school in Banashankari 2nd stage is also reserving seats for siblings.

When contacted, a school located in south Bengaluru said, “Ours is a new school and this is the second year. So we need to start admission process for pre-primary classes. Otherwise, it would be difficult to get enough number of students. We are just confirming  the seats by taking a small amount. We will collect the entire fees only during the final admissions.”

This issue has raised concerns over admissions under the Right to Education (RTE) quota. “Schools are not supposed to start the process as they have to give RTE reservations. We demand that the department take action against such schools and also issue guidelines in this regard,” says Yogananda from RTE Students Parents Association.

When contacted, the department officials said that this was a clear violation of Karnataka Education Act. Anybody who comes across such incidents can report it to the Block Education Officer of the area or the Deputy Director of the department. The officials even warned that, in case of early admissions,  surprise visits will be made by officials and such admissions will be considered illegal. If the schools affiliated to other boards, a report will be sent to the boards.