Panckula schools lack uniformity in fees of admission forms

Panchkula education department does not seem to be taking keen interest in the mission admission as Panchkula schools lack uniformity in the admission form fee this year. Unlike Chandigarh schools, Panchkula schools have set their own rates for the admissions forms which are putting parents in anxiety.

Admission forms for Bhavan Vidalaya will be available on December 26 and the school has set Rs 600 for the form fee. While Hans Raj is offering the form for Rs 100, Little flower is offering the admission forms at Rs 300.

Moreover, no circular regarding a fixed and uniform rate of the forms has been given to the city schools. Last year, the schools were directed to give the forms at a nominal charge of Rs 100, but this time the department has given that a miss.

"We have not been asked to give away the form at a fixed price like the last year. We were told to give the forms at a common price of Rs 100 last year, but the schools have set their prices this time according to the infrastructure or other facilities the school is providing.

Some schools are charging registration fees, along with the admission form fee, from the parents which is Rs 100 for the admission form and Rs 500 for the registration are taken in a go," said principal of a CBSE-affiliated private school.

The UT education department in its common admission schedule circular has directed the schools to charge Rs 50 from the parents for the admission form. All the schools,including the four convent schools in Chandigarh, are charging Rs 50 for these, but the Panchkula schools are not bound with any such guidelines.

District education officer, Panchkula, Savitri Sihag said, "No circular from the education department has been floated this time in this regard, as the schools are given liberty to charge according to their facilities."

Resident of Mansa Devi Complex, Sector 4, Charandeep Singh said, "I bought the form for my son from a renowned school for Rs 300 and other school told me that the form will be available for Rs 600. There is no uniformity in the fee. Children's education has become so expensive these days. They should have uniform charges as is done by UT department."