District Deputy Education (DDE) officers in Delhi have been directed to ensure that those children who lost their parents due to Covid or otherwise after March 2020 continue their studies without interruption.
A circular issued by the private school branch of the directorate of education (DoE) on January 23 extended the facility even to such children studying in minority private schools.
“It is hereby clarified that in order to ensure the uninterrupted education of students and in view of the implementation of directions of the Supreme Court of India, the facility to provide education to students whose both parents or either of any parents expired after March 2020 either due to Covid-19 or otherwise is hereby extended to such students studying in minority schools recognised by the DoE,” stated the circular.
For the minority schools built on government land, such students studying in nursery/ pre-school to class VIII shall be considered under economically weaker section/disadvantaged (EWS/DG) category. The schools can claim reimbursement from the DoE.
Section 12 (1)(C) of the Right to Education Act mandates reserving 25% of the seats for the EWS/DG category.
While for the students studying in classes IX to XII, the student shall be considered under the freeship category. As per the allotment clause, schools are to reserve 20% of the seats. While for the schools built on private land, such students studying till Class VIII shall be considered under the EWS/DG category. However, for students in classes IX to XII, the department has asked the DDEs to guide and facilitate admissions in government schools for their interrupted further education.
Minority schools are not mandated to provide EWS/DG Admission.