Nearly 35% of the seats reserved in the economically weaker section /disadvantaged (EWS/DG) category in private schools remained vacant till September, according to the outcome budget released by the government.
Section 12 (1)(C) of the Right to Education Act 2009 (RTE) mandates reserving 25% seats for children belonging to the category in private schools. In Delhi, out of this, 3% is reserved for children with special needs (CWSN). The directorate of education (DoE) conducts centralised admission for the category through a draw of lots.
In the academic year 2022-23, DoE had set a target of 39,997 admissions. In the first quarter ending June 2022, 26,596 seats had been filled and by September-end, a total of 29,434 admissions were done. The admissions for the category took place till December as the matter was taken to court.
The outcome budget also pointed out that a reward scheme meant for teachers for innovative practices, in which they were supposed to get Rs 1-1.5 lakh, could not be implemented.
“The scheme has been kept in abeyance due to the ban on expenditure by the finance department, GNCT Delhi, due to Covid in March 2020. Now, it will be revived in the present academic session and fresh proposals will be invited from the willing teachers,” stated the outcome document.
The document also said that due to a glitch, only 37% of students received uniform subsidies from the government. “Due to some technical error, subsidies to 6,56,211 students could not be disbursed. It will be disbursed this year,” read the document. The government had set a 100% target.
The proposal to set up a geography lab, Montessori lab and digital classrooms is also yet to see the light of day. Montessori labs were to be set up in 100 schools while geography and science labs were to be established in 415 schools. “The guidelines of geography labs have been redrafted and submitted for approval,” said the document.
The document also showed that only 62% of the posts in SCERT have been filled against the target of 100% and about 47% of the posts of principals and vice-principals have been filled.
