Updates for Admission under Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) Quota, Jan 2008

Dear Friends,

Greetings from Pardarshita!

Approximately 397 schools in Delhi have received land from the Government at subsidized rates on the condition that in return these schools reserve seats for the children of Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in their schools. The allotment of land started since 1967 but none of the school followed the condition of Lease Deed. The worse part is that our Government did not take any action against this violation. This matter was highlighted when Social Jurist filed PIL in High Court and Hon’ble Court in its judgement stated that all the schools which had been given land by Govt. have to follow the condition of lease deed and simultaneously ordered Delhi Government to frame rules and guidelines for the admissions. http://164.100.51.18/dhcorder/dhcqrydisp_o.asp?pn=117969&yr=2004

In 2004 the rules were framed and since than the case is in High Court and in consecutive proceedings very good rules were framed. Despite of good orders it was not easy to take the admission. http://164.100.51.18/dhcorder/dhcqrydisp_j.asp?pn=2070&yr=2007

In last two years more than 500 children were admitted in these Public Schools and credit for these admissions goes to Right to Information Act only. In the light of these good orders we were expecting that it would be easier for the people to get their child admit in these schools for the current session.

In this direction we put our efforts and started a Help Line which was published in many leading News papers like Navbharat Times, Rashtriya Sahara, Amar Ujala. On this Help Line we are continuously getting many phone calls.

In collaboration with Delhi Government we were able to organise awareness camps in D C complexes and thousands of people approached to these camp to enquire about the process of admission.

The admission process started from 15th Dec07 and will last till 7th Jan08. But till today that is 5th Jan 08 most of the schools have not issued Registration Form to the parents. In this context hundreds of complaints have been filed in the Education Department. We were expecting that admission process would be smooth this year in comparison to last year, but the situation is quite reverse because of the hearing conducted in Supreme Court and the order which the Supreme Court has passed in favour of Public Schools. http://courtnic.nic.in/supremecourt/temp/pc%2012275-1227607p.txt

So what ever pressure was built on the schools and the department has vanished away. Now the schools are free to do admission at their own wish.

We have assisted people in filing the complaints in the office of Education Department also. Now your valuable suggestions could give a new direction for this issue.

With warm regards

Rajiv, Ritu and Rekha

PARDARSHITA