Provide gadgets and Internet pack to poor students for online : Delhi HC

Provide gadgets and Internet pack to poor students for online : Delhi HC

The Delhi High Court on Friday has passed order regarding preliminary study in the midst of corona condition. A PIL filed by NGO Justice for All represented by Advocate Khagesh Jha. The petition demanded the Centre and the Delhi government to provide free laptops, tablets or mobile phones to poor children, so that they could attend online classes in the corona lockdown.

The Bench of Justices Manmohan and Sanjeev Narula said that the lack of such facilities is hindering early education of children. The court has ordered private and government schools to provide gadgets and internet connections to poor children studying here under Right to Education Act 2009. The court said that all the efforts have to be made jointly to prevent children’s studies in the middle of Corona. Private school can charge the state government for this.

The court also clarified that, “The cost of these gadgets and internet connection is not a part of tuition fees.” In such a situation, the school and government should provide this facility to the children who do not have the facility of online education.

The Bench of judges also directed the formation of a three-member committee, in which the Education Secretary of the Centre or his nominee, the Education Secretary of the Government of Delhi or his nominee and a representative of private schools, together with such poor and disadvantaged students would be identified and sent the gadgets.

 Apart from this, the court has also asked the committee to prepare standard operating procedures (SOPs) to provide these gadgets and internet connections to children.

By Priya Kumari