Mysuru: Hundreds of parents and children took part in the counselling for admissions to the Government-run Residential Schools for Backward Communities in city yesterday.

The counselling was conducted at Babu Jagajeevan Ram Bhavan on Adi Pampa Road.

The District Administration and the Social Welfare Department had organised counselling for students who wish to study in over 35 Government Residential Schools like Morarji Desai Residential School, Kittoor Rani Chennamma Residential School, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Balakiyara Residential School and Ekalavya Residential School.

Admissions are open from 6th Standard and all facilities including food and accommodation are provided free of cost by the Government. In all, 1,790 seats are open across the schools and education will be provided till 10th Standard. The Social Welfare Department had conducted entrance exams to the schools and this year, 4,120 students had appeared for the exams.

Selection will be made through roster system and only Backward Caste students will be admitted. Yesterday, counselling was held for 542 SC girls and today, counselling was held for 502 SC girls and boys. On Sunday, 540 SC students from Category 1, 2A and 2B will be counselled and on Monday, May 29, 520 students from 3A and 3B will be counselled. Twenty-five percent students have been kept under waiting list.

Zilla Panchayat CEO P. Shivashankar, ZP Standing Committee on Social Welfare President Beerihundi Basavanna and Joint Director of Social Welfare Department B.S. Prabha and Backward Class Welfare Officer Shivakumar were present.