SC: Plea Moved Seeking Law To Ban Screening Procedure For Nursery School Admission In Delhi

The Supreme Court in the case Social Jurist, A Civil Rights Group V. Government Of NCT Of Delhi observed wherein the civil rights group ‘Social Jurist’, has approached the Supreme Court against the order of the Delhi High Court rejecting the Public Interest Litigation, PIL moved to expedite the finalization of Delhi School Education (Amendment) Bill, 2015. The bill amended prescribed the banning of a a screening procedure in the admission of children at the pre-primary level. The plea moved contended that even though bill was prepared back in 2015, it is yet to be passed.
The plea stated that the delay in passing the bill is because it is hanging in between the Central Government and the Delhi Government. Thus, it has also been contended in the plea that the delay is against the interest of children. The Delhi High Court in the case observed and has rejected the PIL as not maintainable, holding that the court could not interfere with the legislative process in July 2023.
The petitioner in the case has also relied on the provisions of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 in order to argue that the bill is necessary to implement the provisions of the Act.
Therefore, it has also pointed out by the petitioner in the plea that the bill intends to ensure that there is no discrimination amongst children in the matter of admission and is also an attempt to check commercialisation of education. The petitioner also contended before the court that the unjustified delay of 7 years is against public interest.