JOIN USSchools on govt land must give free seats to deserving kids: DoE clause
The Directorate of Education is planning to frame a policy to ensure that private schools built on government lands comply with the clause of providing five per cent freeship seats to deserving children and those in need of protection.
The move has been initiated after a civil rights group wrote a letter to DoE for implementing the clause.
The freeship seats can be given to children whose parents have died, who need assistance or any other deserving candidate who is considered suitable by the government.
At least 60 schools in Delhi were allotted lands by the government during late 90s to build their nursery wings.
An allotment letter was given to these schools which specifies norms related to land rent and allotment of seats under different categories.
Paragraph 3(A) of the sample land allotment letter given to such schools states: “5 per cent of the total strength of students would be given admission to, if recommended by the government of Delhi, subject to normal test. Such students should be allowed freeship admission as decided by the government.”
The directorate admits that due to absence of policy, the schools are not abiding by this clause and even the government is not recommending seats.
“These five per cent seats are in addition to the 25 per cent seats allotted under the Economically Weaker Sections category. We will check the allotment letters given to schools earlier so that we can form a policy. If the schools fail to comply with the policy rules, they will be penalised,” said a senior DoE official.
Schools unaware of clause
However, Khagesh Jha, a Supreme Court advocate alleges that many schools are not aware of this clause mentioned in their allotment letters, hence a policy defining these norms is essential.
“The Supreme Court had directed the Director of Education in 2004 asking the authorities to look in to the letters of allotment issued by the government and ascertain whether they have been complied with by school authorities. But it was not done. The nexus between schools and the DoE has buried this clause which has been depriving many children of quality education,” he said.
Meanwhile, schools such as Queen's Mary, Maxfort and Heritage in Rohini area, which were allotted lands by the government between 1990 and 2001 say they are not aware of the additional freeship seats clause.