Provide free books, uniforms to EWS, Disabled: Delhi Govt orders private schools

NEW DELHI, APRIL 12: The Delhi Government has asked all the private schools running in the state to provide free books, uniform & writing materials to the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and Disabled students as per the Right to education (RTE) Act. The Circular was issued after reports emerged of some schools not providing free uniforms and educational materials to these children.

The Directorate of Education through its Circular has directed private schools to provide free books, uniform & writing materials to the EWS and DG category students. The Circular states, “In accordance with the provisions of Rule 8 of Delhi Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Rules, 2011 (DRTE Rules, 2011), all children admitted under EWS/DG category in Private Unaided Recognized Schools of Delhi in terms of section 12(1) (c) of Right to Education Act, 2009 are entitled to get free books, uniforms and writing material to be provided by the respective private unaided recognized schools.”

last week it was reported that allegedly two private schools were not providing books and uniform to children under the two category, and was asking their parents to buy it themselves.

The Circular has asked the two schools to comply with the order as it was also directed by the Delhi High Court earlier.

This Directorate has received large number of complaints from the parents and other stake holders that many of the Private Schools are still refusing to provide free books, uniform and writing materials to the EWS/DG children and demanding money for providing these materials from the parents which is causing great hardship to parents.

The Circular states, “The ground of denial of providing free books, uniform and writing material taken by the school is the misinterpretation of the Hon'ble High Court's order dated 22/04/2016 in WPC 3684113 wherein the Hon'ble High Court only observed “...the free uniforms, books and writing material have to be provided by the Government. The response of the Government is necessary.”