Gupta demands extension of Delhi govt order on shutting down unrecognised schools, Sisodia assures welfare of students

BJP MLA and leader of opposition in Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta today objected to the Aam Aadmi Party government's order to shut down unrecognised private schools by March 31 and demanded extension of the deadline.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said the Delhi government would ensure that no student is left out of school. He added that the education department, under him, is currently conducting a survey to access the number of unrecognised private schools.

There were heated arguments between Sisodia and Gupta on the issue when the former accused the latter of raising issue on the "behest of his friends in the BJP as most of his party colleagues run schools".

"The government should make alternative arrangements for education of children studying in these schools and only then take a decision on unrecognised schools," Gupta said.

Gupta, who is an MLA from Rohini, said such schools are being run in slums, settlements inhibited by poor, unauthorised colonies and villages where the government has not made proper arrangements for education.

"The children studying in these schools come from very poor families who cannot even think of sending their children to big schools," he added.