The Delhi High Court on Monday asked the government and the North Delhi Municipal Corporation’s Director (Education Department) to appear in person in Court to reply to a writ petition alleging their failure to provide free textbooks to elementary students.
The petition, filed by Class IV student Satyam Prajapati through his counsel Ashok Agarwal, said the Delhi government and the municipal corporations had not provided textbooks, writing material and uniforms to about 16 lakh elementary-level students.
Justice Manmohan of the High Court noted that though the academic session had started on April 1, it was a serious matter that the students had not been supplied with the essential materials so far.
Issuing notices, Justice Manmohan sought the personal appearance of the two officers on April 25 to give their explanation in the matter.
Mr. Agarwal said nearly 16 lakh students studying at elementary level in the schools run by the Delhi government and the municipal corporations had not been provided with the essentials as contemplated in Rule 8 of the Delhi Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Rules, 2011.
On the other hand, students in the fee-charging private schools get textbooks, uniform and writing material a day or two before the commencement of the academic year, the petition pointed out.
The petition has been filed by Class IV student Satyam Prajapati through his counsel
