DOON SCHOOL DEHRADUN VIOLATES RTE ACT, 2009 - SOCIAL JURIST COMPLAINS NCPCR

SOCIAL JURIST
A CIVIL RIGHTS GROUP

To
The Chairperson,
National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)
Chanderlok Building, 5th Floor,
Janpath, New Delhi-110001
09.03.2012

Sub: Complaint against Doon School, Dehradun for holding Entrance Test for admission in classes VII & VIII for 2012 in violation of RTE Act, 2009

Dear Madam,

Please find the details below regarding holding of Entance Test by The Doon School, The Mall, Dehradun 248001, Uttaranchal, India for admission in Classes VII & VIII for 2012 in violation of the provisions of Sections 2(o) & 13 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 as much as the said entrance test held on 6th November 2011 tantamount to ‘screening procedure’ which is not only prohibited but also an offence punishable with fine.

“THE DOON SCHOOL
THE MALL
DEHRADUN 248001
UTTARANCHAL
INDIA

Tel:
+91-135-2526-400
Fax:
+91-135-275-7275 (Headmaster's Office)
+91-135-275-9198 (Finance & Accounts Dept.)

Admissions Overview
Admissions Details
The school admits boys in January and April every year. In January, it admits into the 8th standard (C form), and in April it admits into the 7th standard (D form).

To be admitted in the 7th standard, a boy must be over 11 years and under 12 years of age in September of the year in which he sits for the entrance test. To be admitted in the 8th standard, he must be over 12 years and under 13 years of age in September of the year in which he sits for the test.

Admissions is a two step process.
• In the first step, boys write an entrance test conducted in the major metropolitan cities in India (Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai and Dehradun). Overseas candidates may take the test at their respective Indian embassies/consulates.

The written test is held in November of every year. The test consists of four papers: English, Hindi, Mathematics, and General Knowledge.

Hindi is a compulsory language up to and including the 10th standard. Therefore, all boys must appear for the test in Hindi. Exemption may be granted to those candidates who have not studied Hindi in the five years prior to the entrance test. In such cases, parents should inform the school, explaining in detail why the boy had not studied Hindi in that period. They should submit supporting letters and certificates from the previous school(s).

• In the second step of the admissions process, those boys who qualify in the written test are invited for a personal interview. The interviews are usually done in December, at the school and in select cities in different parts of India (Kolkata, Mumbai, and Bangalore/ Hyderabad/Chennai).

The school gives some consideration to the sons, grandsons, and brothers of Old Boys as also to brothers of boys currently in school.

The school does not admit boys after the 8th standard.
In order to sit for the entrance examination again, the candidate must meet the age requirement set out above.

The number of boys admitted every year depends on the vacancies that become available after the candidates for the ISC and ICSE have left the school.

For further details on admission, please contact the Headmaster's Secretariat.

Admission offers are made in January and a complete set of admission documents is sent out which includes a detailed clothing list. The first year is probationary and the terms of the agreement, which are executed on stamped paper before admission is granted, must be abided by.
Withdrawals

If a boy is withdrawn from school, the following rules apply:

• Notice of withdrawal must be given within 30 days of the last date of the term just completed.
• If a boy is withdrawn once the term has started, no refund of fees is possible.
• If a boy is withdrawn on medical grounds acceptable to the Headmaster, a rebate of only 20% of the fees will be given in the event that the absence is for half a term or longer.
• If a boy is withdrawn temporarily for a term for reasons acceptable to the Headmaster and due advance notice is given, a seat retention fee of 60% of the fees for the term will be payable. Seat retention beyond one term is not permitted.

Recent News:
Entrance Examinations for 2012 entry

The Entrance Examination for 2012 for D Form (Class 7) and C Form (Class 8) will be held on Sunday November 6th 2011 at the Doon School, or at various centres around India.

For details of how to register, prospective parents are requested to contact the Mr Madan Kothari, Head of Admissions by email: mlk@doonschool.com or by telephone: +91 135 2526400.

Due to a high level of demand, early registration is strongly recommended.”

In the above facts and circumstances, kindly take appropriate action against the school in accordance with the provisions of RTE Act, 2009.

With regards,


Ashok Agarwal, Advocate
Advisor, Social Jurist,
M-09811101923
09.03.2012