Decision threat to autonomy: Schools

While private schools on Wednesday adopted a cautious approach in reacting to Delhi government’s decision of scrapping the management quota for nursery admissions, various school associations of unaided private school said that the decision is an attack on the autonomy of schools.

In a major decision on Wednesday, the Delhi government scrapped management quota and all other reservations, except the EWS category, in private schools for nursery admissions and warned that erring institutions can be taken over by the education department. Several reputed private schools refused to comment, saying that they are yet to receive a formal order in this regard.

R.C. Jain, chairperson of Delhi State Public Schools’ Management Association, which has over 2,000 schools as its members, said, “Having management quota or not having it is schools’ autonomy, the government can’t snatch that right. If there is any corruption in name of quota or there is exchange of money, the government can impose a check, but why scrap it altogether ”

Mr Jain alleged that decision was taken after private schools challenged the Delhi government’s direction to provide its buses to be used as public transport during odd-even trail. “Last month, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, who also hold education portfolio, in two meeting held at chief minister’s residence had assured that the management quota will remain intact. Despite Mr Kejriwal assurance it was scrapped, which shows ill intention of the government after school failed to provide buses,” added Mr Jain.

However, school associations, which had moved court in 2014 after lieutenant-governor Najeeb Jung had notified the scrapping of quota then, claimed the matter is still pending and, hence, the announcement amounts to contempt of court.

“There was a judgment by a single bench of the high court granting autonomy to schools for deciding quotas. The government had challenged the judgment seeking a stay before a double bench but the matter is still pending. Such an announcement at this stage when the matter is sub-judice amounts to contempt of court,” said S.K. Bhattacharya, president of Action Committee for Unaided Private Schools, which has 400 schools registered with it.

Mr Jain also reiterated Mr Bhattacharya’s view, claiming that the matter is pending before a two-member bench of the high court.

Parents, however, welcomed the move, saying that it will increase the number of seats for general public. “Scrapping of 25 per cent management quota means that seats will be now available to general public,” said Priyanka Singh.