Indian Schools in Oman admit 4,700 students

Muscat: All 4,700 students, who had sought admission in Indian schools, have secured seats.
Speaking to the Times of Oman, Wilson George, chairman of Indian Schools in Oman, said that they were able to accommodate each and every student in the second draw, which was held this week. “It may not be their first or second choice, but we have ensured that no child stays at home,” he said.
Around 1,600 students were kept on waiting list after first draw as the number of applicants far exceeded the available seats in the six Indian schools in the capital.
After the first draw, the board could accommodate only 3,100 students as only 2,446 seats were available when they opened the admission process for the 2017 academic year. “In the first draw we tried to fill up the existing vacancies. And in the second draw accommodated everybody,” George said. In the previous years, the Indian Schools Board had to conduct three draws before they could accommodate all the students. The parents, however, are relieved.
“I had been trying to ensure the admission of my daughter for the last six months. Thank God, she made it in the second list as all the private schools refused admissions,” admitted a parent.
Another parent said finding an Indian school for her daughter has been nothing short of a nightmare for the last few months.
“I was shocked to find my daughter’s name missing from the first list. But she made to the second list at the Indian School Darsait. We stay in Azaiba, so we are thinking of shifting. Otherwise, the school will be too far from home. I had never thought it would be so difficult when I moved to Muscat,” she added.
The Board officials also admitted that demand for admissions was less this year compared with a few years back. “This year, the Board has received around 4,700 applications for admissions in various classes of schools, while last year it had received around 5,300 applications from students,” he said.