The private school branch of the Directorate of Education (DoE) has clarified that all private unaided recognised schools are under obligation to ensure that of the children given admission, at least 25% of the total class strength comprises those from the economically weaker sections (EWS) and disadvantaged group (DG) category. The DoE added that there is no bar on admitting more children from the EWS/DG category in a class.
Reimbursement of claim
The DoE said it has been receiving reports that private schools are not granting admissions to EWS/DG category children on grounds that the number of declared seats for general category students were not being filled so as to admit 25% of children from the EWS/DG category of the total strength of the class.
It added that complaints have also been received that reimbursement of claim towards providing free education beyond 25% of the total strength of the class is not being made by the Department.
“The matter was examined in light of provisions of Section 12(1)(c) of Right to Education Act, 2009, and we observed that admission of allotted EWS/DG category children on the basis of 25% of the total strength of the class may also be reimbursed irrespective of less general category admissions done by the school in that class,” said the DoE.
In a clarification, the DoE wrote, “Admission granted by private unaided recognised schools under EWS/DG category beyond 25% admissions against the admissions under open seats/general category admission shall be reimbursed as per the rates permissible under law and revised from time to time.”
The DoE also said it had received a number of complaints from parents and stakeholders of EWS/DG category that many of private unaided recognised schools were refusing to provide free books, uniform and writing materials to their wards and demanding money for providing these materials from the parents.
It has directed private unaided recognised schools to comply with the provisions of the Delhi Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Rules, 2011, and provide free books, uniform and writing materials to EWS/DG children.
