Admission schedule for entry-level classes out

As private schools plan entry-level admission process, the UT Education Department has issued a circular asking all these schools to abide by the common admission process as per the National Education Policy (2020), starting from December 6.

Although the Independent Schools Association (ISA), Chandigarh, claimed it to be an “unwanted” interference of the department and maintained it might lead to confusion among parents, the department cleared that the schools had to follow the guidelines mentioned in the circular. “The private schools in Chandigarh are already following all guidelines and carry out the admission process considering all rules and regulations. The department just came up with this schedule to show their interference without any reason,” said HS Mamik, president, ISA.

Reacting to the common admission schedule, Mamik added, “There are some school managements who have their own way of working as per the available resources and staff. There should be an open meeting with all stakeholders, as the private schools in Chandigarh are among the major contributors to shaping children’s future,” he added.

“We have a set of rules in place, and the schools have to follow it. The government of India has implemented the NEP and Chandigarh is among the first of the UTs to follow it. The schools, including the government ones, have to abide by the rules,” said Harsuhinder Pal Singh Brar, Director, School Education, UT Administration. The schools have to display information, including the date of admission, total number of seats, age requirement, fee structure, admission criteria, documents required and the date of the draw of lots on notice boards and their websites before December 6.

EWS students fee issue

The ISA also opposed the Education Department’s decision to release the quarterly fee of Economically Weaker Section (EWS) students studying in private schools on a yearly basis. Some schools have been informed recently that the fee will be paid on a yearly basis, after completion of the academic year. “First of all, the department should fill their EWS quota seats at the local government schools, and if the students are unable to get accommodated, then they should be transferred to the nearby private schools. The other students are paying the fee quarterly. However, in the case of EWS students, the department asks us to wait for the end of the academic year. There are many school managements, who are awaiting payments to the tune of crores of rupees, which is pending for teaching the EWS students,” said Mamik.

“A litigation was filed in the court, and we are just following the process. The department is just following the rules,” said Brar.

Expect 6-8% hike in fee

While the Administration announced the admission schedule, the fee of entry-level classes is expected to witness a hike of 6 to 8 per cent. The Punjab (Regulations of Fees of Unaided Educational Institutions) Act, 2016, stipulates that the fee hike should not exceed 8 per cent of the previous year’s fee. Post Covid pandemic, the schools are following a routine hike ranging between 6 to 8 per cent. Last year, the schools were required to specify if there has been a revision in the fee. Meanwhile, the admission form is free of cost and only Rs 150 will be charged from students of the general category as registration fee at the time of submission of admission forms, as per the latest circular.

Last year fee of leading schools (2024-25)

Bhavan Vidyalaya (Junior)

Admission Fee: Rs 58,300

Refundable Security: Rs 15,000

Quarterly: Rs 23,490

Total: Rs 96,790

Chitkara International School

Admission Fee: Rs 1,12,800

Refundable Security: Rs 3,050

Quarterly: Rs 24,700

Total: Rs 1,15,850

Strawberry Fields High School

Admission fee (Non-refundable): Rs 1, 32,000

Delhi Public School

Admission Charges: Rs 50,700

Caution Money: Rs 10,000

Quarterly Fee: Rs 27,750

Admission Schedule

Display of information regarding admission notice: before December 6

Issue and receipt of admission forms: December 7 to 20

Display of list of eligible candidates: January 14

Display of list of selected candidates: February 3

Deposit of fee: February 13

Age criteria (as per NEP2020)