The Delhi High Court on September 18, 2020, issued an order to the private unaided schools and government schools like Kendriya Vidyalayas in the national capital to supply free of cost gadgets/ equipment of optimum configuration as well as internet package to Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and Disadvantaged Group (DG) students to allow them to have access to online learning.  The court order is for the schools that have voluntarily selected synchronous face-to-face real-time education as its mode and method of impartation of education.

As the court announced the verdict, it referred to the constitution and said, “Equality of status and opportunity is one of the cherished goals of Indian constitution. To separate the EWS/ DG students from others in the same class due to non-availability of a gadget/device would generate a feeling of inferiority as to their status in the class that may affect their hearts and minds unlikely ever to be undone.”

The court also said that the private unaided schools shall be entitled to claim reimbursement of reasonable cost for procurement of the said gadgets/ digital equipment as well as internet package from the state.

Further, as per the court’s directive a three-member committee needs to be constituted within a week to frame a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the identification of standard gadgets/equipment as well as the manufacturer/ supplier and internet package so that EWS/ DG students can access elementary education through digital online means.

Source: The Indian Express

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