Private unaided schools, which are yet to start the admission process for children from economically weaker section (EWS) will follow the high court order dated January 31 in which it had laid down the formula for admission under the EWS quota. And those which are through with their admission process will not make any change in the final list.

R P Malik, Chairman of Federation said, “schools which have completed the process before January 31 will not make any change in their list. Rest will follow the order.”

This was decided in a meeting of Federation of Public Schools, a registered society comprising 326 schools in Delhi, which had challenged Delhi government’s order which sought to do away with the restriction of distance criterion for EWS students.

Modifying the Delhi government’s notification Court had said the first priority will have to be given to EWS students residing less than a kilometre from the school. Those residing at a distance between one and three kilometres would come next and third preference would be for those living at a distance between three and six kilometres. Children residing beyond six kilometres from the school can get admitted if any seats remain vacant.

The order had created confusion in many schools because many of them had already started the admission process. Following which some schools even cancelled the draw at the last moment.

Ashok Agarwal, a senior advocate and an activist says though legally all schools must follow this, but practically it will not be possible. He said, “The purpose is that the seats reserved for children from economically weaker section must be filled. Till that is happening we have no objection.”