Implement 25% quota for poor children: Delhi government to play schools

New Delhi: The Delhi government on Sunday ordered implementation of 25 per cent reservation for poor children in play schools and creches, which are running on land alloted at concessional rates by the government.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia issued directives for implementation of the quota for children of economically

weaker section (EWS) in all play schools. In November last year, the Delhi High Court had slammed the state government for failing to devise any mechanism to ensure 25 per cent reservation to poor children in play schools.

"Schools will be required to display this information on notice boards as well as on their websites. The notice boards should be placed at places where they are visible to more public," the Delhi Government said in a statement

on Sunday.

"Schools cannot charge the EWS quota students any fee for registration or prospectus. If they are not able to admit any applicant under the quota the schools will be require to give an explanation for the same," it further said.

Regarding rules for distance of play school from applicant's residence, the government has said that the norms detailed under Right to Education (RTE) Act for entry-level classes will be followed. If the number of applicants is more than number of seats the admissions will be done through draw of lots procedure, he said.

"The school will be required to communicate to the parents the date of lottery procedure and it will conducted in presence of parents. "The draw of lots procedure will be concluded only after receiving signature of at least five parents and all the related documents will be secured for future reference," Sisodia said.

The schools will not be permitted to hold any interview, counselling, written or oral examination of either the parents or children for admission to play schools, creches or pre primary schools, he said.

The move comes as implementation of Delhi High Court's directive issued in November 2014. The Court had slammed the government for failing to devise any mechanism to ensure 25 per cent reservation to poor children in play schools running on land alloted at concessional rates.

Hearing a plea filed by an NGO, Justice for All, which sought implementation of RTE Act in play schools and nurseries, saying they are alloted land by DDA at concessional rates, a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw had also directed the Directorate of Education (DoE) to ensure that all schools, which have been allotted land, abide by the provision.

It had further ordered DoE that if any such school is found in breach of the above then DDA should be immediately intimated.

RTE Act, 2009 mandates every recognised school imparting elementary education to admit to the extent of at least 25 per cent of the strength, children belonging to weaker sections and disadvantaged group in the neighbourhood and provide free and compulsory education to them.