On Friday (September 18, 2020), the Hon’ble High Court at Delhi directed to Private and Government Schools to provide proper Gadgets and Internet Package to EWS/DG students for online learning and it should be provided free of cost not making it a part of the tuition fee.
This major step was taken by the Delhi High Court for the welfare of EWS/DG (economically weaker sections/ disadvantaged group) students for accessing the online learning. It was pronounced by the Court that private unaided and government schools like KendriyaVidyalays to supply the necessary equipment free of cost.
The Bench of Hon’ble Justice Manmohan and Sanjeev Narula pronounced that absence of facilities prevents children from pursuing elementary education. Notably, the court was hearing a PIL filed by NGO Justice for all, represented by advocate Khagesh Jha, seeking directions to the Center and the Delhi government to provide free laptops, tablets, or mobile phones to the students of the economic weaker section so that they can access classes online during the COVID-19 lockdown.
On the other hand, the two-judge bench also directed to set up a committee comprising of the education secretary and two other members nominated by him or a private school representative, to expedite and look into the matter and provide supplies to the poor and disadvantage students.
The court also said that the committee shall also frame standard operating procedures for identification of standard of equipment and internet package and would ensure uniformity in the gadgets and internet package being used by all the poor and disadvantaged students.
