Only barrier-free schools will retain recognition: Court

The Delhi High Court has directed the government to de-recognise private schools which do not appoint special educators for children with disabilities and make their premises barrier-free.

The court, in a recent order, granted time till March 31, 2013 to the schools to make their premises barrier-free and asked them to appoint special educators within the next two years.

It asked all private unaided schools in the capital to hire two qualified special educators as per the mandate of the right to education law. A division bench headed by Justice Rajeev Sahai Endlaw, said: "We accordingly allow this petition and direct all recognised aided and unaided private schools in Delhi to appoint special educators and to make their buildings/school premises barrier-free so as to provide free movement/access to children with disabilities."

The court's directions, made available Tuesday, came on a petition filed by advocate Ashok Aggarwal alleging  that 2,039 unaided private schools and 258 aided schools lacked basic physical and academic infrastructure, including special educators, for those suffering from blindness, hearing impairment or mental retardation.

The court said: "We direct the director of education, government of Delhi, to ensure compliance of the directions issued by this court and to take action for de-recognition against the erring schools. We, however, grant time up to March 31, 2013 to the schools to make their premises barrier-free."