The Hindu : School quota for poor may remain on paper

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 25, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

School quota for poor may remain on paper

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, JAN. 24. The directive of the Delhi Government's Education Department asking public schools to furnish information on filling up 25 per cent quota for poor students is unlikely to have an impact or improve the situation for students from these sections. In fact, the move is aimed more at conveying that the Delhi Government had swung into action after the High Court order on the issue.

In the past also, the Delhi Government had tried to wriggle out of the situation and this new circular issued at the behest of the young and energetic Education Minister, Arvinder Singh Lovely, is nothing but an exercise in futility.

For instance, in the case of private hospitals, the Delhi Government was unable to bring them round to fulfil the requirement of 25 per cent bed capacity for poor patients. This despite the fact that the Delhi Assembly had debated the issue several times and directions were issued to such hospitals time and again but they refused to comply. At the time of giving land to private hospitals, it was made clear that they would be given land at concessional rate with the condition that 25 per cent of the bed capacity would be kept aside for poor patients. Not only the lease conditions have been flouted but also the political leadership including the Delhi Development Authority have been reluctant to take any action against such private hospitals.

Now the circular issued by the Directorate of Education is likely to meet the same fate. Already there are voices of dissent within public schools stating it would not be possible for them to fill up this quota as demanded by the Education Department but they were voluntarily teaching poor children during morning or evening hours. In the past also, the Directorate of Education remained a mute spectator against violations by public schools and hardly any action was taken in view of the lack of political will.

There has not been a single instance where the recognition of a public school was suspended for violation of these rules and regulations or for flouting the norms issued by the Directorate of Education. "The motive behind Mr. Lovely's directive could be well meaning but the Government runs at its own pace and things take their own sweet time to materialise,'' a senior official remarked. In fact, Mr. Lovely would find it extremely difficult to initiate action against such public schools as they are not only owned or run by influential personalities but also by those belonging to senior leaders of his own Congress party.

However, the Education Minister is very firm and confident that things would improve to a large extent. In fact, he is very optimistic about this 25 per cent quota after his interaction with the principals of such public schools.

He has been in touch with the federation of public schools also and has sought their cooperation in implementing this norm.

Instead of focussing on such issues, the Directorate of Education would be well off if it concentrates its energy and funds on providing adequate infrastructure in schools including proper facilities for the lakhs of students going to Government and aided schools.

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