Picture used for representational purpose only

CHANDIGARH: Vivek High School in Sector 38, Chandigarh, removed its entire admission page, mentioning dates of admission test and interaction, from the school’s website on late Monday night.

The school had mentioned on its website that admission test and interaction would be held for admission to various classes. They had kept interaction and assessment for Classes I to III on February 15, entrance test for Classes IV to IX was scheduled for March 16 at 9am.

Till 9pm on Monday, the school’s website continued to show the same details about the entrance exam. However, the details were removed around 10pm.

When asked about why the school was conducting admission test when it was prohibited under the RTE Act, H S Mamik, director of Vivek High School, said: “We are not conducting any admission test.”

As per sources, the director of school education, Rubinderjit Singh Brar, had met Renu Puri, principal of Vivek High School, on Monday wherein the authorities said they had removed the details.

As per section 13 of the RTE Act, no school is authorised to collect any capitation fee while admitting a child. The child or his/her parents/guardian will not appear for any screening procedure. If the school subjects any prospective child to screening, than it ‘shall be punishable with a fine which may extend to Rs 25,000 for initial contravention and Rs 50,000 for subsequent contraventions.’

The Chandigarh Parents Association told TOI that there were schools which had resorted to conducting interviews and interactions silently.

“Most private schools are conducting entrance tests and screening without making official announcements. Since many such cases have come to light recently, the education department must take strict action against such schools,” said Nitin Goyal, president, Chandigarh Parents Association.

District education officer Anujit Kaur assured that parents could write to the education department in case any school asked them to appear for a written test or interaction for admission up to Class VIII.

“The school has removed details from their website, but the hidden agenda will not be known. Only parents can tell. So, they must come forward and report such instances,” she said.

