NCPCR seeks legal action against private schools for denying admission under EWS category

Earlier, NCPCR summoned a Directorate of Education (DoE) official, who submitted that in 2021-2022, while 40,000 seats were allotted for EWS category in private schools, only 28,000 were filled.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has written to the Delhi chief secretary seeking legal remedy against private schools for allegedly denying admission to children under the Economically Weaker Section/Disadvantaged (EWS/DG) quota.

In the letter, NCPCR chairperson Priyank Kanoongo stated that around 18,000 children have not been provided admission in Delhi under EWS category even after allotment by DoE in the past two years. In addition, only 33,000 seats have been allotted in 2022-23 in lieu of 40,000 seats for 2021-22. Evidently, 7,000 seats are yet to be allotted in the current academic year. The number is substantially ghastly.

“The order further obligates the state governments/Union territories to ensure that education is not disrupted and in case of such disruptions, steps must be taken as specified in the relevant statutes,” the letter added.

Earlier, NCPCR summoned a Directorate of Education (DoE) official, who submitted that in 2021-2022, while 40,000 seats were allotted for EWS category in private schools, only 28,000 were filled. Furthermore, in 2022-2023, the number of allotted seats came down to 33,000 and only 27,000 children were granted admission, according to TOI.

Last date to apply for Delhi EWS Admission is June 24

The last date for applying for admission under the EWS category has been extended this year to June 24. Section 12 (1)(C) of the Right to Education Act, 2009 mandates reserving 25% of the seats for children belonging to the EWS/DG category. In Delhi, out of the 25% seats, 3% are reserved for Children with Special Needs (CWSN). Citing a Supreme Court order, the letter mentioned that schools are entrusted with the responsibility to implement the RTE section.

Legal action to ensure uninterrupted education 

Kanoongo stressed on taking appropriate “legal remedy to ensure uninterrupted education of the concerned children”. “Kindly issue immediate orders to the appropriate authorities for the same and intimate the commission of action taken within seven days of the issue of this letter. You are further requested to apprise the commission of any pending sub judice matters related to the issue so that the commission can intervene and be a party to the cases,” added the letter.

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