HC slams Delhi government on its policy for giving uniforms to EWS kids

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Thursday slammed the "insensitive" city government for its "wonky policy" with regard to providing uniforms to children of economically weaker sections studying in private schools, saying it will create a "class divide" among children as well as "change their moral fabric".

"Your policies are all wonky. Children from poorer sections sitting with those from affluent backgrounds will become isolated when kids from better off families are wearing uniforms costing Rs 3,000 while they have to make do with Rs 500 and Rs 700 to buy uniforms.

"You are immediately creating a class divide," a bench of justices BD Ahmed and Siddharth Mridul said, adding "you are changing the moral fabric of children."

The bench made the observations after perusing Delhi government's Directorate of Education's (DoE) affidavit stating that it is annually providing Rs 500 to children upto class V and Rs 700 to those in classes VI to VIII in its schools for buying uniforms.

"Government is so insensitive. It thinks it is doing a favour to the poor children by providing them Rs 500 and Rs 700 for uniforms. This amount may be sufficient for uniforms for the summer. What about winter?"

"They just gave subsidy and got it over with. They do not care how much the uniforms actually cost. Obviously, government is not fully familiar with provisions of Right to Education (RTE) Act. That seems to be the impression. As far as they are concerned - we have given subsidy, do what you (students) may with it. Wear uniforms or don´t wear them," the court said.

"Till we know the price of the uniforms, how can we judge if subsidy given by you is adequate or not?" it added. The bench said when government is providing 25 per cent reservation for EWS category, it should give them the same facilities as other children.

"This may appear to be a small problem but is a major issue. You are changing the moral fabric of children. When you reserve 25 per cent seats for EWS, you should also give them equal facilities. This kind of insensitivity leads to psychological scarring and resentment," it warned.