8.48 lakh kids in Delhi govt schools get free books: HC told

The city government today informed the Delhi High Court that there are around 8.48 lakh children in the age group of 6 to 14 years who are currently studying in government schools in the national capital and are being provided free text books.
The government, through Directorate of Education (DoE), in its report before a bench of justices B D Ahmed and Siddharth Mridul also said that for buying uniforms, a subsidy of Rs 500 was being given to children in Nursery up to class V while Rs 700 was given to children in classes VI to VIII.
The DoE further said that around 88,300 kids are studying in government aided schools here.

"There is no categorisation of children under EWS and DG category (Economically Weaker Section and Disadvantaged Group) and others in the government school as been there in unaided private schools of Delhi," DoE said.
It also said that children from EWS and DG category have 25 per cent quota in private schools, but in government schools no child from any strata of society is refused admission.
The affidavit by the government, was filed through their standing counsel Zubeda Begum, on the direction issued by it on August 27, which had asked DoE to provide the exact figures relating to the number of students and cost incurred on each student with respect to books and uniform.

"All government schools across Delhi having girls as well as boys from nursery to class 12 have different uniforms and patterns, so exact cost of uniform meant for summer and winter cannot be provided..." the affidavit said.

It also said that in addition to the free set of books being provided to all students in government schools, cash amount of Rs 300 was being given to students of classes I-V and Rs 400 to those in classes VI-VIII.
Meanwhile, the Action Committee Unaided Recognised Private schools, through its president, submitted that private schools do not sell, provide, supply or charge for text books or uniforms from any student.

"Private schools only prescribe text books and uniforms, which are then bought by the students on their own... On enquiry from uniform vendors, it has been ascertained that uniforms for class I-VIII on an average fall between Rs 3,000 and Rs 4,000," it said.
The bench will hear the case tomorrow.