Why have Delhi schools shut doors on terrorists’ children?

The DoE circular also said that the new rule is applicable for the kids aged from three which means a seat can be denied to the kids from nursery itself.

New Delhi: The Directorate of Education recently laid down a revised code of conduct for students in which it denied permission for the children of banned outfits in Delhi schools, says a DNA report. The banned outfits, particularly the terrorist organisations such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Babbar Khalsa International, Communist Part of India-Maoists and even several insurgent groups of North East.

The circular issued by the DoE said that any children associated with the banned organisation cannot be given admission in the state schools and can be suspended from school if found guilty of violating norms laid down by the ministry.

The DoE circular also said that the new rule is applicable for the kids aged from three which means a seat can be denied to the kids from nursery itself.

The main focus is to deny permission and the suspension of the kids from school is from classes VI to VII according to the revised code of conduct to the kids associated with banned outfits.

The DoE had also issued the revised code of conduct list to the schools in which the students, particularly the ones belonging to the banned outfits can be suspended or even rusticated from school if he/she found guilty in norms such as 'absence from classes' 'bullying', 'misbehavior with teachers' and 'moral vice'.

When asked about such step by the Delhi government, one person who refused to be named, said that the government is on the defensive.

Some of the school principals feel that the government should either go through the circular it has issued or explain it clearly instead complicating matters. Social jurist Ashok Agarwal says that DoE's move clearly says that either DoE has low or no vision at all. He asks how the government can be so insensitive towards children, especially as young as three.

A parent who was handed over the copy of the circular issued by the DoE told DNA that the government has put the parents in a fix and questions how it is even valid for 12-13-year-old students.

A principal of a reputed school in east Delhi says that the points laid down are not only confusing the parents but to the school as well and added that the DoE should give a clarification.