“I envy Delhiites who have exercised their right to vote and have elected themselves leaders to govern them,” says 12-year-old Hadya, a student of Class VI and an Afghan refugee who said she has been fighting for her right to education here in Delhi.
“My sister is a student of the government school in Tilak Nagar and her principal told our father Mohammad Aslam that she cannot continue in class if she didn’t have an Aadhar card. We requested the school authorities to help her continue her education but they haven’t relented so far,” said Samira, Hadya’s sister.
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“At the start of the new academic session our prinicipal said that all Afghan refugee students have to bring an Aadhaar card or they would not be able to study or take exams. Despite many requests I haven’t been allowed back in school and now my family has been forced to admit me in a private school to continue my education. The fee here is very high and my parents and sister are working very hard to pay this,” said Hadya.
Appeal to UNHCR
“I want the government to ensure that my right as a child to have an education is not compromised and that I am able to continue my education. So what if I am a refugee, I am also a human being and a child who wants to study. I request the Delhi government to intervene and ensure I am allowed to continue my education in the government school,” added Hadya.
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She has also appealed to UNHCR asking them who is “responsible for her future? and what will happen to my life if I have no access to education?! If I grow up without education and skill will this society accept me?!”
“Don’t punish my sister for being a refugee,” said Samira. Meanwhile, lawyer and social activits Ashok Aggarwal said: “The school is wrong in this case. This is a violation of the fundamental right to education which is available to every person, foreigner or refugee. A school cannot ask this student to leave on the ground that students does not have Aadhar card.”