Free education for children orphaned during pandemic: Delhi Government

The Women and Child Development Department informed that approximately 5,500 children lost either of their parents ever since the spread of the novel coronavirus in the national capital.

Schools must ensure that students who got orphaned or lost a parent after March last year be adjusted in the same school and offered free education, Delhi Government directed schools in the national capital. The government has issued instructions to private schools running on DDA or government allotted land. The official order released by the Directorate of Education (DoE) states, “All districts are directed to ensure that children who have become orphans or lost a parent after March 2020 either due to COVID-19 or otherwise, such orphans need due attention to enable them to continue their education in the school.”

Reports suggest that the Women and Child Development Department informed that approximately 5,500 children lost either of their parents ever since the spread of the novel coronavirus in the national capital. The department also identified 268 children who got orphaned during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It further added, “Such students may be adjusted in the same school, if running on DDA or government allotted land under freeship, with the approval of competent authority, without any draw of lot. Or, such students may be treated as a student studying under Economically Weaker Section Disadvantaged Group category and reimbursement may be paid by the Directorate of Education and after Class 8 they may be given admission in any government school.”

On May 14, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that his government would bear the education and upbringing cost of the children orphaned during the pandemic. Financial assistance of Rs 2,500 per month will be given to those children who have lost both or either of the parents to COVID till the time they attain the age of 25, the minister said.

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