Poor children move Delhi HC for free summer uniforms, books

A group of students, hailing from poor and disadvantaged sections, has approached the Delhi High Court against a city school for its failure to provide free summer uniform and books to them.

The plea filed by nine students of Bal Bharti School, Rohini asked the court to direct the school to provide free books, two sets of summer uniforms and writing materials to them and continue providing these entitlements until they complete their education in the school.

In November 2014, the court had directed the school to provide them winter uniforms and books, free of cost, after the students sought its interference on the issue.

The plea filed through advocate Khagesh Jha said that the school was allotted government land on concessional rates and has to admit 25 percent of the students from the economic weaker section (EWS) and disadvantaged groups (DG).

It also noted that under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, schools have to provide free books and uniforms to children from these categories.

The children who approached the court were admitted in the school under EWS and DG category.

The plea said that after court's direction to the school to provide two sets of winter uniforms to them, the school had provided only one set of uniform.

Now, as the new academic session has began, the students sought the school be directed to provide free summer uniform, books and writing materials.

The plea also sought direction to the DoE to initiate appropriate action against the school for their failure to comply with the provisions of RTE Act, 2009, and Delhi RTE Rules, 2011. It also asked DoE to frame a grievance adressal mechanism to address the grievance of the parents in urgent and time bound manner.