Zakat Foundation head, Dr. Zafar Mehmood, has called for increased awareness among Muslims about EWS benefits and encouraged the community to obtain EWS certificates.
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
NEW DELHI — To ensure transparency and equity in admissions under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) quota in private schools, the government is set to introduce a lottery system following the release of admission guidelines in October.
The online admission process, initiated in December, witnessed a surge in applications in the EWS category. Concerns have surfaced regarding recommendations and lack of transparency in cases where applicants are unsuccessful.
Dr. Noor Alam, a distinguished voice in education, underscored the government’s commitment to curbing such practices and establishing a fairer system.
Dr. Alam highlighted the key challenges in the documentation process for EWS admissions. Certificates obtained from SDM offices play a pivotal role in determining eligibility. However, instances of individuals manipulating the system, despite not being genuinely financially weak, have been reported. Dr. Alam stressed the need to uphold the integrity of the EWS corner, ensuring deserving candidates are not overlooked.
Mohammad Hamid, a Delhi government officer, confirmed the completion of the online application process for EWS admissions, with the lottery set to take place shortly. Addressing concerns about recommendations, he acknowledged their prevalence even in the digital era.
Simultaneously, head of the Zakat Foundation Dr. Zafar Mehmood has issued a statement urging more and more Muslims to apply for EWS. He emphasised the 10% reservation for economically weaker sections as a crucial step towards addressing economic and educational disparities. Dr. Mehmood called for increased awareness among Muslims about EWS benefits and encouraged the community to obtain EWS certificates.
The eligibility criteria for EWS reservation were outlined, specifying that individuals with an annual income below Rs 8 lakh and belonging to the general category are eligible. Advantages in education, including reserved seats and fee concessions, were highlighted.
The statement further underscored the benefits of EWS reservation in government jobs, spanning from constable to collector positions. It detailed the process of obtaining an EWS certificate, urging cooperation from community members to facilitate the application process.
Dr. Mehmood proposed initiatives to empower the Muslim community, including the establishment of skill development centres and women self-help groups. The statement emphasised the importance of information sharing to maximise the community’s participation in government schemes and development programs.
