GUWAHATI: The Division Bench of the Gauhati High Court, led by Chief Justice Sandeep Mehta, today reprimanded the counsel appearing on behalf of South Point School, Guwahati, for denying admission to children belonging to Economically Weaker Sections and Disadvantaged Groups under the RTE Act in the PIL filed by We for Guwahati Foundation (PIL 30/2023).
The petitioners, through an affidavit, brought on record that children were denied admission by the concerned school authorities because no such provision of free admission applies to the concerned school.
In some cases, the affidavit noted that the parents were asked to pay complete fees and secure admission. The petitioners brought all fee receipts charged by the concerned school on record before the court. In light of the same, the court directed the counsel appearing for South Point School to ensure that all children who had applied to the concerned school were admitted free of charge.
Directions were also issued to the Education Department to take immediate steps against other schools that were found to be charging fees from children seeking admission under RTE Act. Advocates Anita Verma and Sudakshina Khanikar appeared on behalf of the petitioners.
Earlier hearing the same PIL, the Court, vide order dated May 17, 2023, had given seven days to the Secretary, Education Department, to take all steps to ensure that the admission of all the children whose details have been brought forward by the petitioner organisation is completed or appear before the Court on the next date of hearing.
G Plus had reported in April that after the Gauhati High Court asked the Assam Education Department to take strict action against schools if they continue to violate 12(1)(c) of the Right
