State to Roll Out SOP for EWS Admissions in Private Schools Soon

Amid delays by several private unaided schools in reserving 25% seats for underprivileged children starting this academic session, the Punjab government has decided to issue a detailed standard operating procedure (SOP) for admissions under the provisions of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009.

- Navneet Sharma

CHANDIGARH:

The school education department has drafted the SOP and guidelines for the reservation of 25% seats for students from the economically weaker sections in Class 1 of private unaided recognised schools across the state. The SOP covers aspects such as notification of reserved seats, eligibility criteria, the admission process and monitoring mechanisms to ensure smooth implementation of the legal provisions, said people familiar with the development.

Director public instructions (DPI), elementary, Harkirat Kaur said the draft SOP was currently under discussion. "It is likely to be finalised within the next eight to ten days and will then be circulated to the district education officers and all private unaided recognised schools," she said.