Several schools in the city have kept their nursery admissions on hold because of the lockdown.

Some schools were in the middle of the admission process and have now either put up notices on their websites or emailed parents that the process will resume once the lockdown is lifted.

La Martiniere for Girls, La Martiniere for Boys, St James’ School, South City International School are some of the institutes where admissions have been deferred.

At the La Martiniere schools, the interaction with parents and children is mostly over; a few are left.

“Everything is on hold now because of the lockdown. We will start the process only when the schools reopen,” Supriyo Dhar, secretary of the La Martiniere schools, said.

The interaction is followed by shortlisting candidates and mailing parents about selections.

St James’ School was in the middle of admissions when the lockdown for the coronavirus was announced.

The school on March 25 put up a notice addressed by the principal on its website. “Admissions will continue after April 16, 2020.” Those who have been selected have to visit the school office from April 16, according to the notice. “It may change if the government extends the lockdown.”

“Our selection letters for nursery have gone to parents and admissions are over for close to 75 per cent of the candidates. Whatever is left will be done after the lockdown is lifted,” Terence Ireland, principal of St James’, said.

In most schools, the new session begins in April but several heads said they would be able to take a decision only after schools reopen after the lockdown is lifted.

In South City International School, the admission process was stopped before the lockdown.

Principal John Bagul said the school had to suspend all interviews because he did not want outsiders on the campus. There are many parents who have been transferred from other cities or have landed in the city from other countries and settled in the South City towers, he said.

“They are writing to us seeking admissions but I cannot give them any assurance during the lockdown.”