With the new circular released by the Directorate of Education, the few changes that have been made with the 25% quota for Economically Weaker Section includes a lower upper age limit than the current year.
The Circular states that for the 2019-20 academic session, the upper-age limit for nursery will be four years, five years for KG, and six years for Class I under the EWS quota. For the next session i.e 2018-19, the policy that follows will be similar to the last year policy; five, six, and seven years for Nursery, KG, and Class I respectively.
According to a DoE official, the decision was taken keeping in mind the aim of the benefits of education reaching the maximum number of people.
“In cases of guardians of these applicants, the level of awareness and planning is considerably lower than with general category parents. Given that the benefit of EWS/DG admission does not exist beyond entry-level classes in private schools, missing the age limit could prove extremely costly. There is no point of reserved seats falling vacant… So, we’ve decided to go with the existing age limits for another year. This is not permanent, the aim is to eventually impose the new limits for them as well — after information on it has is more widely known,” the official said.
The notification referred above was regarding the order released on December 18, 2015, in which the upper limit was fixed at four, five, and six years for Nursery, KG, and Class I respectively.
The officials informed that the order was passed in November but since the admission process was too close, they decided to delay the date of implementation to next year.
“The court gave the order in November. As it is too close to the admission process, we decided to implement it from next year” said an official.