RTE Act to Replace Delhi School Education Act

Delhi’s school education is expensive and parents know exactly how expensive it gets each year. Right from nursery admission, Delhi is a competitive educational hub for parents and teachers, all of whom scan the Delhi school list to touch down on the best option. Top schools of Delhi are sure to welcome the latest developments that took place on 19^th February 2010. 

 Will the Delhi School Education Act be scrapped?

On 19^th February 2010, the Union HRD Minister, Kapil Sibal announced that the fees of private schools cannot be regulated, which has triggered considerable opposition and dismay among parents.  He talked about the scarcity of qualified faculty and the urgent need to impart quality education that is not outdated.

Further, Mr. Sibal’s  suggestion does not sync with the provisions given in the Delhi School Education Act, 1973. The Delhi School Education Act states that the salaries of teachers in private schools cannot be less than those who teach in government schools. Newspaper reports hint that the state government may clash with the Union HRD Minister about his statement. Mr. Sibal also stated that the contradiction with the state act will be done away with once the central Act, namely, the Right to Education Act is implemented from 1^st April 2010.

Will the RTE Act Change Delhi’s School Education System?

The RTE Act aims to enhance the infrastructure and quality of education provided by private unaided schools. The Act sets forth school eligibility conditions such as all-weather building and playground facilities. For the same reason, all unaided private schools in a city must be recognized.

However, the most affected people are the parents of those children whose school fees are going to be hiked. Judicial activists and lawyers have already begun encouraging parents to challenge this in court as the Supreme Court has always stated that education is a fundamental right that cannot be commercialized.