The Delhi High Court has directed the Department of Education to respond to a Public Interest Litigation advocating for fair school admissions for students from economically weaker sections and disadvantaged groups. The case highlights systemic barriers and calls for unified admission timelines, reinforcing the right to education for all children in Delhi.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed the Department of Education (DOE) to submit a status report in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Justice for All NGO. The PIL seeks directives to ensure that students from economically weaker sections (EWS), disadvantaged groups (DG), and the general category are admitted to government and private schools.
The petition, represented by Advocates Khagesh Jha and Shikha Sharma Bagga, sheds light on the plight of nearly one lakh children. These students either failed to secure admissions through the lottery system or were denied entry into schools despite applying online.
The plea stresses that
“these children should not be excluded from the education system and left vulnerable to child labour.”
A bench comprising Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela directed the DOE to address the representation made by the petitioner NGO within two weeks. Last week, the court also instructed the Directorate of Education (DoE) to review a controversial circular dated November 11, 2024, issued by the Director of Education.
The petition calls for the quashing of this circular, which it alleges discriminates by creating separate admission timelines for children from weaker sections, disadvantaged groups, and the general category.
The PIL urges the Delhi Government to enforce the binding guidelines issued on October 26, 2022, to prevent discriminatory practices in school admissions. It advocates for a unified admission schedule under Section 15 of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, and Clause 4(i) of a notification dated January 7, 2011, issued by the Lt. Governor of Delhi.
The petition highlights that the circular in question undermines inclusivity, a key tenet of the RTE Act. The practice of segregating admission timelines for EWS and DG students and linking their admissions to the general category schedule violates the right to education guaranteed under Article 21A of the Constitution of India.
The High Court’s intervention underscores the importance of ensuring equitable access to education for all children. As the DOE prepares its status report, the case highlights the urgent need to address systemic barriers and enforce inclusive practices in the school admission process.
This development is a critical step toward ensuring that no child is deprived of their constitutional right to education, regardless of their economic or social background.
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