Frequent changes in the age criteria in school admissions for the coming session by the education department has now come under the scanner of Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Acting on a writ petition filed by some children seeking directions from Chandigarh administration and some of the private schools to consider candidatures of those who are over three years old by making them eligible for classes LKG, pre-nursery etc for the academic year 2011-12, the court has served notices on UT education department and some private schools and has asked authorities of Sacred heart, Carmel Convent, St John's, St Anne and Strawberry fields world school to accept forms of these petitioners as interim measures.

Court also directed that a UT education department officer should be present before the court on the next date of hearing, which is February 8.

The directions were passed by single bench of the High Court headed by Justice Mahesh Grover after hearing the petition filed by Enakshi Pant and 16 other kids, through their parents.

The petitioners stated that their prime grievance is that UT's District Education Officer (DEO) is continuously changing the criteria of admission, which is causing harassment to the children. Petitioners further said that on January 14, 2011, administration mentioned in its letter that minimum age for admissions to pre-nursery classes is over three years. However, on January 18, administration again changed the criteria and stated that only those aged above four years would be eligible.

Class Struggle

Court also directed that a UT education department officer should be present before the court on the next date of hearing, which is February 8. The directions were passed by single bench of the HC after hearing the petition filed by Enakshi Pant and 16 other kids, through their parents.