Article 21A doesn't guarantee choice of school : Delhi High Court
New Delhi : The Delhi High Court has clarified that Article 21A of the Constitution, which guarantees free and compulsory education for children up to the age of fourteen, does not confer the right for a child to be educated in a specific school of their choice. Justice C Hari Shankar made this observation while addressing a case involving a 7-year-old girl seeking admission as an economically weaker section (EWS) student in Class II for the academic session 2023-24.
The girl's mother had filed a plea against a school for refusing admission despite her daughter being shortlisted for admission in Class I for the previous academic session through a computerized draw of lots conducted by the Directorate of Education (DoE).
The court noted that the girl had not applied for admission as an EWS student for Class II for the relevant academic year, and without such an application, she had no enforceable right to seek admission in that year to any particular school. The court emphasized that each academic year constitutes a fresh session, and the right to admission as an EWS candidate does not automatically carry forward to the next academic year without the necessary application and draw of lots.
While rejecting the prayer for admission to Class II, the court directed the DoE to ensure that the girl is granted admission as an EWS student in Class II in another school.
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AIITA welcomes Karnataka’s ban on obscene songs in school events
Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.
AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.
“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.
He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.
“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.
According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.
In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.
AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.
