Govt mulls banning screening of kids, parents

Delhi government is considering a law to ban ‘screening procedure’ for kids at entry level in private schools and also decided on an imprisonment of five to ten years to violators. The government is likely to summon a ‘special session’ of Delhi Assembly to pass Delhi School Education (Amendment) Bill, 2015 to provide tooth to the education department to nail erring private schools who have gained notoriety for promoting corruption in admission of kids and arbitrary hike in school fee.

The draft bill under consideration with the government abolishes any type of ‘screening procedure’ of a child or the parents at the entry level for which a new section, 4 A, is being inserted. “No school or person <g data-gr-id="23">shall,</g> while admitting a child in an entry-level class subject the child or his or her parents or guardians to any screening procedure. An entry-level class means and includes a pre-primary or pre-school class where children below six years of age are admitted,” said the new proposed rule.

The government for the first time made such ‘screening’ as <g data-gr-id="27">punishable</g> offence for which the violator will be jailed for 5 -10 years. The new rule also give powers to the Director of Education department to issue warnings, stop-aids, imposition of fine, recovery of money in case of embezzlement of funds, suspension of admission at entry level in a class for a year with a cumulative effect, taking over the management of the school and even de-recognition of the school. The government is also considering making the scrutiny of accounts of private schools mandatory and penal action including imprisonment has been proposed in this case also.

“We have suggested certain amendments in the draft bill which is under consideration with CM Arvind Kejriwal. As the bill is not finalised, it could not be introduced in the current budget session,” said Ashok Agarwal, <g data-gr-id="20">senior</g> advocate who is associated with drafting of the bill. “As the bill is very crucial and close to the heat of CM and his deputy Manish Sisodia, the government is most likely to summon a special session of the House,” he added.