Apr 24, 2014 01:17 PM
16751 Views
(Updated Apr 28, 2014 11:02 AM)
Like every year this year too Nursery Admissions have been a pain for parents. Getting a child admitted into a school is now down to the game of lottery and its a shame that we are forced to live with.
The parents had little choice between court orders, shifting dates and funny guidelines which did everything other than solving the nursery admissions issue. The schools played their part and published the lists of selected candidates only to put the process on hold yet again.
Through such torment, we got an sms from St. Thomas Girls School on 7th April 2014, saying" Nursery Admission Draw of Lots at 11 am on Tuesday 8 April, 2014 at St. Thomas School, Mandir Marg. Bring your registration receipts with you."
We reached there at 10:00am and got in queue for registration process. Mrs. Amos - the principal at St. Thomas supervised the draw and asked the gates to be closed at 11:45am saying that all parents have been given ample time to come to the school. She supervised the draw and it tool almost an hour. The registration numbers of 100 children selected in the draw were announced and put on a white board which was placed outside the hall.
My daughter's number was there. And we were happy. I could not help looking at it again, just to be sure. We checked for admission process with authorities and left the school. We celebrated next few hours in a small way. It was great to have found a good school finally.
On 8th April evening, however, we got another sms from St.Thomas School Delhi, stating" The draw of lots held on 8-4-14 stands cancelled due to a communication gap. A fresh draw will be held on 9th April 2014 at 4:pm at st. Thomas School Mandir Marg. The lots of those parents who sign in attendance between 2:30 and 3:30 alone will be considered. The parents who reach the venue after 3:30 pm will not be considered. Bring registration receipts."
We were shocked. This was like our worst nightmare. This school called us and made us go through a process which it defined all by itself and then trashed it? Where does that leave us and other parents? Is Nursery Admissions draw a joke you can conduct and scrap at your whims and fancy?
When we reached the school on 9th April, we were told by other parents that on 8th April evening( the day of 1st draw) parents who did not reach the venue till 11:45am met Mrs.Amos and forced her to cancel the draw. She gave her decision for redraw within 4 hours of the first draw!
There was a lot of police, protests by parents and total mayhem. Some cried because this was injustice. It was not our fault if people did not reach on time! The doors were closed on principal's orders! We reached on time and followed the process as told by the school!
The principal refused to talk to parents and finished the Second draw within 30 minutes and disappeared into her office. No amount of protests could get her to talk to grieved parents. My Daughter's number was not there in the second draw, and I was prepared for this because there is nothing like twice lucky. My wife much like other parents was in tears and we could do nothing for the school's hegemony.
We were cheated. Yes. Though my daughter got through a bigger and way better school, I feel sorry for those whose kids have yet to secure a seat. Our experience with St. Thomas has opened our eyes. It may have a good reputation, but after going through such injustice, it has fallen way down to the lowest ranks.
The court put a stay on nursery admissions process the very next day, but the school went ahead with the nursery admissions(2nd draw list), bending rules as it deemed to fit its own benefit. Honestly, had my child got the seat at St.Thomas in the second draw, I would still have chosen the other school. I hope this review helps people see the reality behind big names and understand how they really work.
