NEW DELHI: An NGO has alleged that some government schools are denying admission to children from economically backward families for the want of Aadhaar card.These children live at shanties in the north-east and north-west Delhi, according to Humana People to People in India (HPPI) — an NGO that works for the upliftment of the underprivileged through educational, health and other initiatives. “Most of these children come from families where the parents do not even know their child’s birth date,” said Mithlesh Kumar, NGO member and coordinator of Kadam Set-Up programme.
In such cases, the government schools are insisting on Aadhaar card as proof.
But, the Directorate of Education guidelines say it is not mandatory to submit child’s Aadhaar for school admission. The principal of EDMC School (Urdu Medium), however, denied that any organisation had come for the admission of these children.
The vice-principal of Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya, Shastri Park, maintained Aadhaar and bank account have been made mandatory (for admission) by the school department. "We independently cannot help these children who are without Aadhaar." Neelam Kulshreshtha, a teacher associated with Kadam Set-Up, is now trying to get bank accounts opened up. Meanwhile, a DCPCR member said any aggrieved person in such cases can approach the panel for relief.