HC for govt stand on pleas against online admission in schools

The Delhi High Court today sought the Delhi government's response on PILs challenging online mode of admission to entry-level classes in private and government schools, alleging discrepancies in the process.
The petition relating to private schools has challenged the online admission to entry level classes for economically weaker section (EWS) and disadvantaged group (DG) categories.
In another petition relating to government schools, the petitioner has challenged a notification of the government for admission in sarvodaya vidyalayas through online module in nursery, KG and class I.
A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar sought the response of the government on both the pleas filed by NGO 'Justice for All'.

The bench asked the government to file the details regarding number of applications received for admission in private schools under EWS category and how the online process was going on.
During the hearing, the bench observed that there were some discrepancies in school admissions and the online system served a statutory purpose.

The plea filed through advocate Khagesh Jha, challenged the Delhi government's January 9 notification for online admission under EWS/DG category in private schools, saying it was contrary to the January 7, 2011 notification of the Lieutenant Governor.
It said the LG had issued a notification specifying the manner and time schedule for the admission of EWS/DG children which must not be different from the process followed for the general category kids.

It claimed that the government's notification was arbitrary and in violation of the provisions of the Right to Education (RTE) Act and the LG's notification.
The petitioner claimed there were several glitches in the online system which should be removed as several seats were lying vacant but children cannot get admission due to the online system.
In the other petition, it was claimed the government's March 3 and March 28 notifications were arbitrary and the strictly online process was a violation of law.
It said the notifications were ultra vires to the Constitution and contrary to RTE Act by which every child has the right to free and compulsory education in a neighbourhood school.

The plea claimed that the government was duty-bound to establish neighbourhood school for every child, instead of selecting them through a draw of lots.