In a major setback for all private schools in Delhi, the Supreme Court on Monday rejected their plea challenging the Delhi High Court’s orders on nursery admissions.
The matter pertains to fee hike in private schools of Delhi who filed a plea challenging the nursery admission guidelines issued by the Lieutenant Governor in December 2016.
The apex court upheld the January 2016 judgement of the Delhi High Court, stating that if the private schools hike the fee at any point of time, a prior approval from Delhi government is essential.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India J S Khehar said that schools should shut down and vacate immediately if they are unwilling to abide by the condition on fee hike.
Furthermore, according to the new guidelines that have been approved by Lt Governor Anil Baijal in accordance with the Directorate of Education, all applicants living in the neighbourhood of the school will be given priority over those living further.
The DoE had ruled that the candidates living within a radius of 0-1 km and having siblings in the school will be given preference. In case of further vacancy, candidates living within a range of 1-3 km will be given preference.
Other pointers introduced by the DoE include no preference to girl child and guidelines for siblings in the same school.
