Parents wait in a queue to collect admission forms at a school in Patna. Telegraph picture

Patna, Feb. 3: Parents of tiny tots in the state capital are spending their mornings on the campus of various schools these days.

Uncertainty over their wards’ admission in the school of their choice has left them with no option but to fill up as many registration forms as possible. The mad rush for admission and random selection method are giving sleepless nights to parents whose little ones are ready to join school.

According to the Right to Education Act, the schools have to conduct a random selection or lottery to select students at the entry level (LKG, Montessori I, KG I, nursery).

Rahul Kumar, who wants to get his daughter admitted to Montessori, said: “There is massive admission rush in various schools and therefore I have not taken the risk. Keeping the random selection in mind, which can bring both good and bad news, I have filled up the registration forms in four schools. Now I have to wait and see whether my daughter’s luck favours her or not.”

Manish Singh, father of a six-year-old, is even more nervous. He wants to get his son admitted to Class I and very few schools are taking students at that level. St. Michael’s High School and St. Xavier’s are his only options at the moment. While St. Xavier’s High School has started the registration process, St. Michael’s would sell forms on February 6 and 7.

Singh said: “The only thing we can do now is keep our fingers crossed and pray for selection. Thanks to the Right to Education Act, admission of my child in now dependent on luck. It would have been better if my son had got a chance to take an entrance test.”

While most parents are thronging school campuses with a hope to see their children through, some have given up on the mad chase and accepted the easiest option available.

Nusrat Jahan has chosen a lesser-known school closer to her house for her daughter. Her reason: “I have come to know that the random selection in most of the schools would not be conducted in front of the parents. How would I come to know if the draw of lots was fair or not?”

Not only this, Nusrat also fears that the schools may demand exorbitant money to admit students.

“Therefore, I felt it was useless waiting in long queues in various schools and putting oneself under unnecessary pressure,” she said.