HC suggests a centralised system to monitor school admissions

The AAP government was today directed by the Delhi High Court to consider creating a centralised system to monitor admissions in all schools in the national capital.
A bench of Justices S Ravindra Bhat and Navin Chawla said such a software system would enable the Delhi government's Directorate of Education (DoE) to keep track of allotment of seats and vacancies in entry and post-entry level classes in all the schools.
The bench also asked the DoE to set up a standing committee, comprising parents, civil society and education professionals, to advise and comment on the existing policies by taking into account the ground realities.

The court said that such a panel could also act as a sounding board for admission policies of the government.
It suggested the course of action after an NGO, Justice for All, said that details of vacancies in the seats for economically weaker section (EWS) in all the schools for all classes were not being advertised or publicised.
The NGO, represented by advocate Khagesh Jha, also claimed non-compliance of a concessional clause in the agreement allotting land to private schools, providing for reserving seats for EWS category.

On the issue of non-advertising of the vacancies the bench wanted to know what happens to the unfilled seats and whether they are added in the management quota.

On the non-compliance of the concessional clause, the court directed the land-owning agency, Delhi Development Authority, to file an affidavit containing the names and addresses of the societies to whom land was allotted with the condition to set apart seats for the EWS category.
The list should also contain the names and addresses of the schools run by the societies on leased land or the location of the land allotted for such purpose, the bench said.
It listed the matter for further hearing on May 30 when it sought the presence of the Director of the DoE.