Noida: As the new admission season begins in private schools, the basic education department has clarified that the age cut-off for entry-level classes remains March 31 this year, with children required to complete the prescribed age of three by that date.
Last year, the deadline was extended to July 31, but no such order has been issued so far. Officials said a decision on extension, if any, is likely by late Feb or early MarchLack of a formal notification resulted in confusion on the ground. Several private schools in the city have refused admission to children who fell short of the age requirement by a few days or months, parents said.“No govt order was issued to extend the age limit. Any decision on this will be taken only after instructions from the directorate, and parents will be informed accordingly,” said basic shiksha adhikari (BSA) Rahul Panwar.Parents said the situation has put them in a dilemma.A Noida resident who recently approached a private school in Sector 30 for his daughter’s nursery admission said his child was turned away for being just 2 months short of the required age. “My daughter will turn 3 in July. The school flatly refused to even consider her application. What adds to the confusion is that last year, a friend’s daughter, who turned 3 in June, got admission without any issue. We don’t know whether to wait or start looking for another school,” he said.Another parent echoed similar concerns, saying, “Schools are quoting last year’s relaxation selectively, but this year they are strictly sticking to March 31. Parents are left guessing while the admission season is already underway. In several schools, the seats are already filled too.”Officials reiterated that such relaxations can only be introduced after a formal order from the state directorate of education.
“District-level authorities cannot take unilateral decisions on age eligibility. Only after a written directive from the directorate are such changes implemented,” an education department official said.The district school inspector has also issued instructions to private schools regarding fees.“According to the UP Fee Regulation Act, 2018, annual composite fees can be increased by the consumer price index of the relevant period, in addition to 5% of the existing fee.
For instance, if the CPI is 5.5%, the total permissible hike would be 10.5%. Schools are asked to strictly adhere to this,” the inspector said.Schools, for their part, said they were awaiting clarity.“We are following the education department’s order as it stands. If there is any further extension, we will implement it,” said Grads International School principal Aditi Basu Roy.
