Delhi Govt Mandates Private Schools to Support Students Who Lost Parents Post-2020

The Delhi Education Department has issued a directive to private schools, urging them to extend support to students who lost one or both parents after March 2020. This initiative aims to ensure uninterrupted education for these vulnerable students through provisions like free ship or classification under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) or Disadvantaged Group categories.

The circular emphasizes that private unaided and aided recognized schools must provide the necessary educational support to orphans and children who have lost a parent, whether due to COVID-19 or other circumstances. Schools operating on land allotted by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) or government are required to immediately place these students under the free ship category, ensuring that their education continues without financial burden.

District Deputy Directors of Education (DDEs) have been instructed to monitor and facilitate this process, ensuring no delays at the school, zonal, or district level. The directive mandates that all eligible students be enrolled under the EWS category, allowing them access to the necessary educational resources and support systems. Private schools are entitled to claim reimbursement for these students’ fees up to the elementary level from the Directorate of Education, Delhi.

For students who have completed Class 8, the circular advises that they should be guided towards admission into government schools, ensuring a smooth transition and continued access to education. This measure is part of the Delhi government’s broader strategy to provide educational support to children affected by the pandemic and its aftermath.

The Delhi government’s initiative underscores a commitment to safeguarding the educational rights of children who have experienced significant personal loss, ensuring that financial constraints do not impede their future opportunities.

Source: India Today