Govt-aided schools cannot demand donations from students: HC

New Delhi, Apr 26 (UNI) The Delhi High Court has held that the government-aided schools in the capital cannot demand compulsory donations from the students for various development projects.

Justice B D Ahmed said, ''Compulsory donations which are taken under the garb of voluntary donations are not permitted by virtue of the sections 155 and 156 of the Delhi School Education Rules, 1973.'' While disposing of the petition in the matter relating to Raisina Bengali Schools at Mandir Marg and Chittarnjan Park, the Court said the school management should comply with the direction of March 12, 2007 and stop the practice of taking donations immediately.

The Director of Education(DOE) of Delhi government is directed to take a ''conclusive stand on the question of donations within six weeks.'' Counsel Namita Roy appearing for petitioners, sought the direction of the court to the DOE and the schools not to demand donations from the poor students.

Raisina Bengali Schools, a recognised minority institutions, had been receiving 95 per cent grants from the government, said Ms Roy during the arguments.

''As the schools are run through government aid, the management is bound to provide free education to the poor students. These schools are registered under the scheme of linguistic minority for Bengali people in the capital,'' said the petition.

UNI