DSEK Directs Schools to Admit Students Without APAAAR/PEN

Srinagar, March 17: The Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has issued a directive to all schools, instructing them to admit eligible students even if they do not possess an APAAAR (Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry) or PEN (Permanent Education Number).

The directive, addressed to Chief Education Officers, comes in response to reports that some schools were denying admission to students lacking these identifiers. The DSEK emphasized that many students, including dropouts, private candidates, and those with study gaps, do not have APAAAR or PEN due to various reasons such as Aadhaar mismatches, non-enrollment, or administrative lapses.

The department stressed that denying admission based on these numbers goes against the goal of reintegrating out-of-school children (OOSC) and ensuring universal education. The directive mandates that schools admit such students immediately, with their APAAAR and PEN being generated later by the admitting institution.

The DSEK has urged strict compliance with this order to prevent any barriers to education and facilitate seamless enrollment for all students.