Schools in the national capital will not admit any student who has an association with any “banned” organisation, the Delhi government has said.
As per the recent Model Code of Conduct issued by the Directorate of Education, “association with any banned organisation” has been described as a “forbidden practice” and may lead to either denial of admission to a new student or expulsion of an existing student if such a fact is discovered.
No definition
The circular, which also lists “holding of any protest demonstration” as a forbidden practice, does not give a definition of “banned” organisations.
“There are a host of guidelines under the model code of conduct for students which are handed over to them at the time of admission or commencement of new academic session. These also include association with any banned outfit or organisation,” a senior DoE official said on the condition of anonymity.
“The guideline is mainly for students from Class VI to XII, especially those coming from disturbed areas where certain banned groups operate,” the official added.
Other pointers mentioned in the model code include absence from classes without permission, bullying, rowdyism and rude behaviour, eve-teasing, smoking, chewing gutkha, use of drugs, gambling and bringing electronic gadgets including mobile phones to schools.
The penalty prescribed for violation of the guidelines range from written warning to student and parents, suspension for a specified period to expulsion or rustication from school.
The model code, which is applicable for students from nursery to Class XII, has attracted the ire of civil rights groups, which have demanded that the clause be withdrawn.
“Ever heard of a three-year-old being associated with a terror group or a banned organisation? Even if some grown up children are found to have any such association they need to be counselled and not be denied admission. It is an absurd clause,” said Ashok Agarwal, founder of civil rights group Social Jurist.
‘How do you prove it?’
“My son is in class VI, I can explain to him the need for discipline and respect for teachers and school property buy how do you explain what association with a banned organisation means? Moreover, how do you prove it? The point can me misused by schools to tarnish the image of a child and create a life-long stigma,” said Aneesha, a parent. with pti inputs
