4-year age limit for nursery: HC stays Delhi govt order

Children above the age of four years can apply for admission in pre-school or nursery classes in private schools here till Tuesday next, with Delhi High Court today staying the government’s order fixing four years as the age limit for entry-level admissions.

This was the second blow to AAP government in as many days, as the court had yesterday stayed Delhi government’s order scrapping management quota as well as 11 other criteria regarding nursery admissions saying it was issued without any authority and was in conflict with an earlier order of the Lieutenant Governor.

A bench of Justice Manmohan, while staying the December 18 notification of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government fixing the upper age limit for nursery admissions in private schools, said it had “virtual retrospective effect” and curtailed the right of a child seeking admission.

“The impugned order of December 18 had virtual retrospective effect as the fundamental right of the child to seek admission was curtailed as it was announced just on the eve of start of admission process,” the bench said today.

The court, however, said it was in agreement with the counsel of Delhi government that it should have restrained itself from interfering with the government’s decision taken by the expert body, but parents should have been given more time to plan the future of their ward.

The court directed that “all children above the age of four years desirous of seeking admission in pre-school/nursery can apply for admissions for the academic year 2016-17 on or before February 9 by 4 PM”.

It asked the Director of Education of Delhi government to ensure that applications of economically weaker section (EWS) children are accepted online.

“The schools are also directed to accept the admission forms by February 9 and applications already filed shall be considered,” the bench said.

The bench posted the matter for April 18 for further Hearing.