Delhi: 60 private schools under lens; EWS, safety focus
Shradha Chettri | TNN | Feb 19, 2019, 02:15 IST
Representative imageNEW DELHI: The Directorate of Education has picked 60 private schools in the city for inspection, with a special focus on EWS admissions and safety of children while using school transport. Five schools from each of the 12 districts of the city have been selected for the inspection. The list includes some of the well-known institutes of the capital.
A DoE circular stated that the inspection was being carried out in accordance with rules 190,191 and 192 of the Delhi School Education Act. District deputy education officers will lead the inspection and the process will be completed by March 31, an official said.
“The inspection team shall report on the admission of students under the economically weaker section and disadvantaged group category as per the Right to Education Act, 2009, and (adherence to) land norms with documentary proof. The inspection team has to look into school transport for the safety of children (sic),” a circular from the department stated.
According to a senior education department official, there have been complaints of violation against the schools that have been selected for inspection. “There are many cases where schools make declarations, but later don’t admit EWS students. We felt the need to check this practice. Everyone knows that school transport is a problem area with children being packed into small cabs and some senior students even riding two-wheelers to school. We need to fix responsibility on the schools,” a DoE official said.
Other focus areas are management of schools, the working conditions and performance of teachers, facilities being provided to the children, various academic aspects and also finances of the institutes.
The process will also aim to find out if the services of any teacher(s) have been terminated/suspended. The schools will have to divulge details of complaints, if any, against the management. The inspection team will also check if any illegal sections are being run in a school and whether classroom work is regularly checked. For schools where there are no Parent-Teacher Association, action will be taken.
The schools aren’t happy with the move, though. They claimed that such inspections were proof of government interference in the functioning of private schools.
“The government has built this entire notion about private schools being at fault, which is totally wrong. This is a breach of our autonomy and needless intervention,” said a principal of one of the schools being inspected. Last year, when a private school was inspected by a DoE committee, the school had moved the court against the move.
A DoE circular stated that the inspection was being carried out in accordance with rules 190,191 and 192 of the Delhi School Education Act. District deputy education officers will lead the inspection and the process will be completed by March 31, an official said.
“The inspection team shall report on the admission of students under the economically weaker section and disadvantaged group category as per the Right to Education Act, 2009, and (adherence to) land norms with documentary proof. The inspection team has to look into school transport for the safety of children (sic),” a circular from the department stated.
According to a senior education department official, there have been complaints of violation against the schools that have been selected for inspection. “There are many cases where schools make declarations, but later don’t admit EWS students. We felt the need to check this practice. Everyone knows that school transport is a problem area with children being packed into small cabs and some senior students even riding two-wheelers to school. We need to fix responsibility on the schools,” a DoE official said.
Other focus areas are management of schools, the working conditions and performance of teachers, facilities being provided to the children, various academic aspects and also finances of the institutes.
The process will also aim to find out if the services of any teacher(s) have been terminated/suspended. The schools will have to divulge details of complaints, if any, against the management. The inspection team will also check if any illegal sections are being run in a school and whether classroom work is regularly checked. For schools where there are no Parent-Teacher Association, action will be taken.
The schools aren’t happy with the move, though. They claimed that such inspections were proof of government interference in the functioning of private schools.
“The government has built this entire notion about private schools being at fault, which is totally wrong. This is a breach of our autonomy and needless intervention,” said a principal of one of the schools being inspected. Last year, when a private school was inspected by a DoE committee, the school had moved the court against the move.
more from times of india Cities
LATEST VIDEOS
All Comments ()+^ Back to Top
Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive. Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.
HIDE