Nursery admissions: Fewer parents submit forms on day 1

There was minimal rush on the first day of the submission of forms to city schools for admissions to nursery classes, unlike the last few years, which saw parents waiting in long queues.

According to the common admission schedule issued by the UT education department, parents can submit the admission forms from December 1 to December 20.

Even the most sought-after schools in the city - St Anne's Convent, Sector 32; Carmel Convent, Sector 9; St John's, Sector 26; and Sacred Heart, Sector 26; which together have 705 seats, didn't receive many forms on Monday.

Only five forms were received by the schools on an average.

St John's, Sector 26, Chandigarh, had received only four forms, said principal Kavita Das.
"There was not much rush on the first day. However, we had put up separate desks to collect the forms from parents based in Chandigarh, SAS Nagar and Panchkula. But only a handful turned up on the first day," she said.

She further said schools would have considerable rush only on the last two days allotted for the submission of forms.

According to her, parents have sufficient time to submit forms this time, as earlier they were given only three days to submit the forms.

There have been instances where parents had to return without submitting forms as they hadn't attached all the required documents such as proof of residence and birth certificate.

"A few parents had forgotten to bring some of the required documents. We refused to accept some forms which were filled incorrectly," added Das.

This year, parents are opting for convent schools instead of applying to the city's most expensive schools.

"I will apply to convent schools in the city. If my daughter is not lucky enough to get into these schools, then I will go to some other school like Strawberry Fields High School in Chandigarh", said Shyam Nagar, a resident of Panchkula.

Despite orders from the district education officer, private, government and government-aided schools have not uploaded the admission forms on its website.

District education officer Ram Kumar Sharma could not be reached for comments, despite repeated attempts.

DATES TO WATCH OUT FOR

By November 30

Schools to display information relating to the admissions on the notice boards and also to upload it on the school website
December 1 to 20

Admission forms to be made available on the website and on the school campus. Forms will be accepted during this period
By December 24

Display of the list of eligible applicants on the school notice board and on the website
Between Jan 10 and 28

List of selected students and the students in waiting to be finalised
January 28

Display of final lists of
selected students and waitlist
February 1 to 20

Schools will accept fee
By February 23

Waiting list will be displayed
February 23 to March 7

Those on wait list to deposit fee

Availability of seats in city's popular schools

School Seats
St Anne's Convent-32 225
Sacred Heart-26 200
St John's-26 160
Carmel Convent-9 120

Fewer city schools to follow point system

Fewer schools in the city will follow the point system during admissions this year. Under the system, schools will give preference to applicants living closer to the school. Applicants, who are wards of teachers or siblings of current students or wards of alumni, will also be given preference.