Girls not admitted: HC seeks reasons

TNN, Jul 28, 2010

NEW DELHI: Eight girls who were refused admission by different government schools in east Delhi have moved the Delhi high court, which on Tuesday asked the education department to explain why the students were refused admission.

Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw asked the government to explain by August 5, why it failed to admit the girls in its schools.

The girls residing in different areas in east Delhi had approached the court when they were refused admission on "frivolous grounds''.

Some of the reasons cited by the schools for denying them admission were that they belonged to a different state, they were overaged and that being dropouts, they could not be readmitted.

All the girls moved the court complaining the government schools had violated the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE Act, 2009) by denying them admission on one pretext or the other.

As per the petition, Gulafshah and Nisha Parveen were denied admission in Class VI in Sarvodaya Kanya Bal Vidyalaya, Babarpur, on the ground that they were from Uttar Pradesh.

Firdosh was denied admission in Class VII in Government Girl Senior Secondary School, Khajuri Khas, and Rabia was denied admission to Class VIII in Rajkiya Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya, Khajuri Khas, on the ground that there were no seats available in the schools.

Uzma Bano and Samreen Bano were denied admission in Class IX and VI, respectively, by Government Girls Senior Secondary School, New Ashok Nagar, alleging they were overage.

Rakhi Jain and Ritika Jain were denied readmission in Class VIII and IX, respectively, in Government Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya, Gokulpur, alleging that dropped out students could not be readmitted.

Ashok Agarwal, counsel for the girls, argued before the court that the denial of admission to these girls by Delhi government schools was illegal and unconstitutional. "These cases of the girl students are only few instances. Government schools are invariably denying admission to thousands of students on false and illegal grounds,'' he said.

"Government schools are the only hope for the children of the masses and if these schools deny them admission, where would they go,'' Agarwal added.

TIMES OF INDIA, July 28, 2010

Quality in education: It's my legal right

Surbhi Bhatia, Jul 26, 2010

While the efficacy of the Right to Education Act is being debated, the legislation has had an impact on marginalised sections of society.

Says Ashok Agarwal, advocate and advisor to a civil rights group, "When the Act came into force around four months ago, we were expecting a slow response from society since it takes time to spread awareness about any new legislation. But from April we have received 200 applications where children and their parents are demanding admission under the Right to Education Act; 70% are from the Muslim community and out of that, 90% of the applicants are women."

There are several reasons for this, but the main one seems to be the girls’ desire to be educated and, hence, empowered. "The Muslim community especially in backward areas has finally risen to the fact that education empowers and more and more Muslim girls are coming forward to take education in the formal school system," adds Agarwal.

Samreen and Uzma Bano were denied admission by many government schools when they migrated to Delhi from Uttar Pradesh with their families four years ago. The desire to be economically independent prompted them to get enrolled in knitting and beauty courses. But they continued to dream about a formal education.

The RTE provided them with the right platform. "Muslim women feel that it is important to be economically independent and it can only happen through education. Many women have been fighting for their right to get educated. When we heard it is our right to get free and compulsory education under the new legislation, we approached a lawyer for help," says Mona, maternal aunt of the Bano sisters.

Mona has been running from pillar-topost to get her nieces admitted in a school in New Ashok Nagar.

"When we approached a school, the authorities denied admission saying the girls are over the age limit," she says. "Running between school, lawyer and deputy director of education’s office has left us exhausted and we have also spent a lot of money. But we know that it is an investment to get the girls educated. We will not give up till the girls are admitted in a school," she asserts. Agarwal says that the act empowers children in the age group between 6 and 14 years to get free and compulsory education in a neighbourhood school and the school cannot deny admission on any basis. "If it does, it is a contempt of court," he adds.

Another obstacle to the girls’ education is the distance that they have to travel. "The MCD schools have started online screening for admission. If the seat is allotted in a school which is far from their house, the parents opt out of sending their daughters to school. We have received many applications where Muslim girls dropped out from school due to the distance and now are demanding admission in a nearby school under the RTE Act," says Agarwal.

Rizwana, after completing schooling at Holy Home Public School, which is up to class VIII, is seeking admission in a school at Khajuri Khas near her house. "The school has been denying admission on several grounds. We have obtained a school-leaving certificate and got it countersigned from the deputy education officer, but it is of no use. I want to study further but the authorities’ attitude is discouraging," says Rizwana. However, Rizwana’s mother is determined to get her daughter admitted in a school. "No matter how much money we have to spend, I want my daughters to study," she says.

"Farah, aged 6, is a special child. She was denied admission at Jehangirpuri MCD school on the grounds of non-availability of a special educator in the school. This is a violation of the RTE Act. Since section 3 of the Act provides for free and compulsory education and section 4 provides that a child aged above 6 years has the right to be admitted to an age-appropriate class," Agarwal informs. He says the determination among Muslim women is gathering momentum, but they need the support of the concerned authorities to make their dream come true.

TIMES OF INDIA, July 26, 2010

Every postcards had story to tell

Neha Pushkarna | TNN

New Delhi: Nearly 200 children from government and MCD schools in the city wrote to the chief justice of Delhi high court once in May and again on Monday highlighting the abysmal state of their schools and the need to implement right to education.The children shared a variety of problems they face in school by sending postcards to the chief justice.About 141 children came together in Jahangirpuri on May 22,and 65 in Dwarka on Monday to participate in the RTE postcard campaign launched by a civil rights group called Social Jurist in collaboration with NGOs.

From teachers beating them up and forcing them to collect garbage,to toilets remaining locked and clean drinking water being inaccessible,the children had a lot to write about.Shahnaaz Khatoon,a class VIII student of Rani Channama Rajkiya Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya in Jahangirpuri,wrote, Madam padai ke samay phone pe baat karti rehti hai (The teacher keeps talking on phone during class). She said that water in the tank of her school had not been cleaned for 8-10 days.She added,however,that the playground in the school was good.

Poonam,class IV student at MCD school in Jahangirpuri,B-Block,wrote, Our madam is good.She teaches us.But our principal often beats us and makes us pick up garbage.Please take action.

Every postcard had a story to tell.While some students wrote that the fans and lights in classrooms didnt work,others were upset about the lack of tables and chairs.A few even complained that the teachers discouraged them from asking questions and the classes were often conducted on the playground.Many of them even left their phone numbers on the postcard.

These children are hopeful that contacting higher authorities directly may change their school for the better.Speaking to TOI on Wednesday,Shahnaz said, The toilet in our school is seldom cleaned.Even the food we get in school (midday meal) is often too little and does not taste good.We have complained to many people several times but nothing happened.Then someone told us writing to the chief justice could help.
According to Ashok Agarwal,founder of Social Jurist,more students are likely to come together in the coming days to put across their side of the story. RTE has been implemented but nothing has changed.The infrastructure and the student-teacher ratio continues to be bad.We wanted the court to intervene, Agarwal said.
He added, We asked children to write their top three problems and also the good things about their school.It should make a difference.

neha.pushkarna@timesgroup.com

Times of India, New Delhi, July 15, 2010

http://mobiletoi.timesofindia.com/mobile.aspx?article=yes&pageid=6&sectid=edid=&edlabel=CAP&mydateHid=15-07-2010&pubname=Times%20of%20India%20-%20Delhi%20-%20Front%20Page&edname=&articleid=Ar00602&publabel=TOI

Postcards from kids converted into PIL

Neha Pushkarna / TNN

NEW DELHI: Tired of their complaints falling on deaf ears, nearly 200 children from government and MCD schools in the city have now taken on themselves the task of setting the education system right. The children wrote to the chief justice of Delhi High Court once in May and again on Monday highlighting the abysmal state of their schools and the need to implement right to education.

Their efforts haven't gone waste. On Wednesday, chief justice Dipak Misra converted the complaints into a PIL and sought a response from Delhi government and MCD, terming it a "serious matter".

The children shared a variety of problems they face in school by sending postcards to the chief justice. About 141 children came together in Jahangirpuri on May 22 and 65 in Dwarka on Monday to participate in the RTE postcard campaign launched by a civil rights group called Social Jurist in collaboration with NGOs.

From teachers beating them up and forcing them to collect garbage, to toilets remaining locked and clean drinking water being inaccessible, the children had a lot to wrote about. Shahnaaz Khatoon, a class VIII student of Rani Channama Rajkiya Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya in Jahangirpuri, wrote, "Madam padai ke samay phone pe baat karti rehti hai (The teacher keeps talking on phone during class)." She all said that water in the tank of her school had not been cleaned for 8-10 days. She added, however, that the playground in the school was good.

Poonam, a class IV at MCD school in Jahangirpuri, B-Block, wrote, "Our madam is good and she even teaches us. But our principal often beats us and makes us pick garbage. Please take appropriate action."

Every postcard had a story to tell. While some student wrote that the fans and lights in the classrooms didn't work, others were upset about the lack of tables and chairs. A few even complained that the teachers discouraged them from asking questions and the classes were often conducted on the playground. Many of them even left their phone numbers on the postcard for further clarification.

These children are hopeful that contacting the higher authorities directly may change their school for the better. Speaking to TOI on Wednesday, Shahnaz said, "The toilet in our school is seldom cleaned. Even the food that we get in school (midday meal) is often too little and does not taste good. We have complained about this to many people several times but nothing happened. Then someone told us that writing to the chief justice could help."

According to Ashok Agarwal, founder of Social Jurist, more students are likely to come together in the coming days to put across their side of the story. "RTE has already been implemented but nothing has changed in government schools. The infrastructure and the student-teacher ratio continues to be bad. In such situation, we wanted the court to intervene," Agarwal said.

He added, "We asked children to write their top three problems and also the good things about their school. We told them to write only what they felt and not ask or copy from anyone else. Children from eight to 10 schools have participated in the campaign so far. It should make a difference."

Times of India, New Delhi, July 15, 2010

http://search.conduit.com/Results.aspx?q=times+of+india+postcard+converted&ctid=CT2405280&octid=CT2405280&SearchSource=1

Future of 14 slum students at stake – Delhi Govt. schools deny admission in class XI

SOCIAL JURIST

A Civil Rights Group

To

Director of Education

Government of NCT of Delhi

Old Secretariat Building,

Civil Lines, Delhi-110054

July 15, 2010

Sub- Delhi Govt. Schools deny admission to Master Abhinandan and thirteen other students in class XI

Dear Sir

We have the honour to bring to your kind notice that (1) Master Abhinandan s/o Mr. Uday Shankar r/o A-5/104, Bhalaswa, JJ colony, Jehangirpuri, Delhi (M-9971367492), (2) Vishal s/o Mr. Suarj r/o A-2/588, Bhalaswa, JJ colony, Jehangirpuri, Delhi (M-9015305095), (3) Prakash s/o Babulal r/o A-2/924, Bhalaswa, JJ colony, Jehangirpuri, Delhi (M-9654868789), (4) Pradeep s/o Mr. Arvind Gaur r/o A-5/63, Bhalaswa, JJ colony, Jehangirpuri, Delhi (M-9868455842), (5) Suraj s/o Mr. Roshan Lal r/o A-2/170, Bhalaswa, JJ colony, Jehangirpuri, Delhi (M-958220324), (6) Aneesh s/o Mr. Shyam Shankar A-5/1, Bhalaswa, JJ colony, Jehangirpuri, Delhi, (M-9560109756), (7) Nizam s/o Mr. Ashiq Ali r/o A-5/66, Bhalaswa, JJ colony, Jehangirpuri, Delhi, (M-9560020534), (8) Vishnu s/o Mr. Kishan Gupta r/o A-2/853, Bhalaswa, JJ colony, Jehangirpuri, Delhi, (M-9968923132), (9) Sameer s/o Mr. Rajender r/o A-2/692, Bhalaswa, JJ colony, Jehangirpuri, Delhi, (M-9311590679), (10) Manoj s/o Mr. Ramesh Kumar r/o B-4/ Bhalaswa, JJ colony, Jehangirpuri, Delhi, (11) Deepankar s/o Mr. Ramesh Chakravarty r/o A-2/272, Bhalaswa, JJ colony, Jehangirpuri, Delhi, (M-9958220324), (12) Vimal Kumar s/o Mr. Jitender Kumar r/o D-1-12, Bhalaswa, JJ Colony, Delhi (M-9654963560), (13) Lalit Kumar s/o Mr. Banke Lal r/o D-116, Bhalaswa JJ Colony, Delhi (M-9313101855), (14) Umesh s/o Mr. Mool Chand r/o D-1-74, Bhalaswa, JJ Colony, Delhi (M-9718412547), and have passed class X from Govt. Boys Secondary School, Libaspur, Delhi in the academic year 2009-10. Since, the said school is only upto class X, these students are seeking admission in other schools in class XI nearby their residences but none of the schools are granting them admission on the pretext that there was no seat available.

All these students have also approached the DDE on 9/07/2010 for grant of admission in any Govt. School nearby their residences but unfortunately, the Deputy Director of Education has also not done anything in this matter. Now, the students have approached us for help. It is submitted that all these students are entitled to admission in class XI in any Govt. School nearby their residences.

It is, therefore, requested that necessary action may be taken in this matter ensuring admission of all the students in class XI in any Govt. School nearby there residences.

With Regards

Ashok Agarwal, Advocate

Advisor, Social Jurist

M-9811101923

Class VI students fight for English Medium Section in Govt. Sarvodaya Co-ed Vidyalaya, New Police Lines, Delhi

To, 21.07.2010
The Director of Education,
Govt. of NCT of Delhi,
Old Secretariat Building,
Civil Lines, Delhi-110054,

Sub:- Class VI students fight for English Medium Section in Govt. Sarvodaya Co-ed Vidyalaya, New Police Lines, Delhi

Dear Sir,

We bring to your notice that Abhishek Diwakar s/o Shri Dilip Kumar Diwakar r/o N-44/2, T. Huts, Lal Bagh (Maszid) G. T. Karnal Road, Azad Pur, Delhi-110033 (M-8802525497) has studied from Class I to Class V in English medium in Govt. Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya No.1, Model Town-III, Delhi and has passed his class V in the academic year 2009-10 securing 89% marks. Thereafter, the parents got him admitted in class VI in Govt. Sarvodaya Co-ed Vidyalaya, New Police Lines, Delhi in the academic year 2010-11.

Since Master Abhishek Diwakar had studied in earlier school in English medium, he sought admission in class VI in English medium section in Govt. Sarvodaya Co-ed Vidyalaya, New Police Lines, Delhi but he was forcibly given admission in Hindi medium section.

In the said school, there are three class VI sections. Section A is an English medium section whereas sections B & C are Hindi medium sections. I am told that there are as many as 30 other students alike master Abhishek who are also seeking admission in English medium section of class VI but the school has forced them to get admission in Hindi medium section. It is submitted that due to sudden change of medium of instructions from English to Hindi, Master Abhishek and other alike students are not been able to understand particularly Maths and Science subjects.

It is, submitted, that in the above facts and circumstances, denying English medium section to Master Abhishek and others in class VI is detrimental to the interest of all these young students. All these students are undergoing mental agony and harassment. It is really a case of unjust discrimination. It may be appreciated that the students passing out from English medium schools have better opportunities in life in comparison to others in our market oriented society.

It is, therefore, requested that in the interest of the appropriate education of Master Abhishek Diwakar and other alike students, these students may be shifted from Hindi medium section to English medium section or in alternative, an additional English medium section may be created at the earliest.

With regards,


Ashok Agarwal, Advocate
Advisor, Social Jurist
M-9811101923

English vs Sanskrit – Delhi Govt. school defies Supreme Court directives in denying promotion to six students to class XI on baseless subject dispute

SOCIAL JURIST
A Civil Rights Group

To 19/07/2010
The Director of Education
Govt. of NCT of Delhi
Old Secretariat Building
Civil Lines
Delhi-110054

Sub: Illegal with holding of promotion of class X passed students of Govt. Co-Ed S.S. School, Block-B, Holambi Kala, Phase-II, Delhi-82

Dear Sir

We bring to your notice that as many as 6 student namely-1) Preeti r/o A2148,2) Rajni Verma r/o A803,3) Meera r/o B 984, 4)Maya r/o B2147,5)Pooja r/o A775 and 6)Rajni r/o A744 Metro Vihar Holambi Kala Phase-II, Delhi-82 have passed class X examination from Govt. Co-Ed Sec School, Metro Vihar, B-Block, Delhi in the academic year 2009-10. They are legally entitled to be promoted to class XI in the same school but the said school has refused to promote them to class XI on the pretext that these students would not be given English subject and Sanskrit subject is not available in class XI. It is submitted that all the students are not at all interested in Sanskrit subject and they are interested in English subject which is available in the school.

It is submitted that the said school has illegally and arbitrarily withheld their promotion in class XI in the school. It is submitted that the said school is bound to promote all these students in class XI in school and are also bound to provide them Arts Stream with the English subject which is available in the school.

The aforesaid action on the part of the school is totally illegal, unjust, arbitrary, unconstitutional, contrary to the provision of Delhi school Education Act, 1973 and also contrary to the law as laid down by Hon’ble Supreme Court in several cases including Cambridge School v/s Payal Gupta, Principal Kendriya Vidyalay v/s Saurabh Chaudhary and D.Aravinath v/s Tamil Nadu.

It is, therefore, requested that an appropriate direction may be issued in this matter to the Principal of the Govt. Co-Ed S.S. School, Block-B, Holambi Kala,Phase-II,Delhi-82 and promote the students the school in class XI and all allot them Arts Stream with English subject.

With Regards


Ashok Agarwal,Advocate
Advisor, Social Jurist
M-9811101923