Ludhiana: School of Eminence accused of ‘discrimination’

Punjab: The AAP government has introduced Schools of Eminence, which are institutions that provide the best facilities to students from teachers, infrastructure to other benefits. As this trend is growing, most parents prefer sending their children to Schools of Eminence (SOE). An entrance exam is held for admission to SOE. Students who clear the exam get a seat. Since the schools have limited staff, students who clear the exam and those admitted without entrance exams have to sit in the same class. The entrance exam for new admissions to SOE was held on April 6. Regular students are facing “discrimination” in this entire exercise by the state government. Speaking to The Tribune, a SOE teacher at Jawahar Nagar Camp here said that SOE and non-SOE students used to sit in the same class and the government has created “discrimination” among the students. “Due to shortage of staff, SOE students and non-SOE students sit in the same class.

SOE students enjoy facilities like good quality uniforms, shoes, books and notebooks, besides getting concessional bus fare and other benefits. On the other hand, non-SOE students cannot claim these facilities, which is unfair,” the teacher said. Dinesh Kumar (name changed), a Class XI student at School of Eminence in Model Town, is a non-SOE student. He said, “Many a times we feel that SOE students are better than us. The bus fare for non-SOE students is three times more than that of SOE students. The quality of school uniforms is also different. We come from the same background and study in the same environment. Why are SOE students being given preference?” Another teacher, who did not wish to be named, said they have been given a message by higher authorities not to admit more students in non-SOE classes/schools. The teacher said, “As teachers, we also fail to understand why non-SOE students are being given step-motherly treatment. The Right to Education says that all needy students should be treated equally. Why are we creating discrimination among students? Parents whose children fail to get admission in SOEs come to us and ask why there is inequality. We feel uncomfortable answering their questions. The government should open separate SOE schools so that non-SOE students do not feel discriminated against.”