Can govt give free books, uniform to EWS kids in pvt schools: HC

The Delhi high court has asked the city government if it can provide free uniform and books to poor students in private unaided schools, saying it needs to take a “re-look” to ensure that “class divide” is not created among children.

A Bench of justices Badar Durrez Ahmed and Siddharth Mridul asked senior standing counsel for government, Rahul Mehra, to take instructions if it can provide books and uniforms to EWS students and inform it accordingly. The court said the government needs to “take a re-look” into the aspect as EWS children in private unaided schools should have the same standard of uniform and books as other students in such institutions, adding that otherwise it would create a “class divide” among children. The suggestion to the government came on a PIL seeking grant of free books and uniform to EWS children admitted to private unaided schools.

However, the court has reserved its verdict in the matter. The PIL was filed by NGO Social Jurist, which has sought directions to private unaided schools to grant free books and uniform to EWS children.