Free books,uniform for EWS kids:HC to set up panel,seeks names

Delhi High Court today decided to set up a panel to work out modalities of providing free study material and uniforms to poor children in private and government schools.
A bench of justices Badar Durrez Ahmed and Siddharth Mridul asked Delhi government and private schools to suggest names of experts from the field of education and also from the government, who could be made part of the committee.
The court will then set up the panel, which would not only work out the modalities but also monitor whether free books and uniforms were being provided to students from economically weaker section (EWS) in private and government schools.

The bench decided to set up the expert panel after Delhi government senior standing counsel Rahul Mehra told the court that the AAP administration was in favour of bringing uniformity in uniforms and study material provided to EWS kids vis-a-vis other students.
He said the government was of the view that a committee can be set up to work out the modalities and urged the court to set it up.
The submission was made in response to the court's recent query to Delhi government whether it can provide free uniform and books to poor students in private unaided schools, saying it needs to take a "re-look" to ensure that there is no "class divide" among children.

The suggestion to the government had come on a PIL by NGO Justice for All seeking grant of free books and uniform to EWS children admitted in private unaided schools.

Though the court has reserved its verdict in the matter, it took up the matter to ascertain the government's view.
The schools have, however, claimed they do not provide books and uniform to any student as the same would fall under commercial activity, which they cannot carry out.
They have also submitted that Delhi government provided reimbursements only to schools which are built on private land and no such relief is given to those who have obtained land from the government at concessional or institutional rates.

On January 29, the court had decided to set up a panel,
saying it would not only work out the modalities but also monitor whether free books and uniforms were being provided to students from economically weaker section (EWS) in private and government schools.
Delhi government has submitted in the court that it was in favour of bringing uniformity in uniforms and study material provided to EWS kids vis-a-vis other students.
The bench was hearing a PIL filed by NGO Justice for All seeking grant of free books and uniform to EWS children admitted in private unaided schools.
The schools have, however, claimed they do not provide books and uniform to any student as the same would fall under commercial activity, which they cannot carry out.

Recently, the NGO in its fresh application claimed that free study material is distributed to kids only after the summer vacation and the distribution continues for the entire session.
It has contended that the directorate of education (DoE) presently pays Rs 500 -- to children of classes 1 to 5 -- and Rs 700 to children of classes 6 to 8 in government and MCD schools, towards reimbursement of cost of books and uniform. However, actual expenditure on uniforms comes to Rs 2500 per child, it has said.