Opposing the Delhi government’s decision to scrap the management quota in schools, private schools have challenged the decision in the Delhi High Court. The Delhi High Court on Monday issued a notice to Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government over the decision of scrapping the management quota in nursery admissions. The Delhi High Court said, "If Delhi government improves conditions of state-based government schools, then there won't be any fight for admissions in private schools."

The schools had argued, terming the move by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as absolutely illegal, arbitrary, whimsical and unconstitutional and the government order is contrary to and violates various judgments of the Supreme Court and the High Court, and impacts the autonomy of private unaided schools to regulate their admissions.

“In 1973, the Parliament enacted the Delhi School Education Act (DSE Act) and also framed the Delhi School Education Rules (DSE Rules) thereunder, thereby recognising and conferring maximum autonomy upon private unaided recognised schools functioning in Delhi, inter alia, to regulate their own admissions in a fair, objective and rational manner,” the Action Committee of Unaided Recognised Private Schools, argued seeking quashing of the order.

“The impugned orders is liable to be quashed in as much as they constitute illegal and arbitrary inroads and encroachment upon the maximum autonomy of private unaided schools who have put in their time, effort and resources to build institutions of high excellence,” the petition said.

"We found 62 unjust criteria, which we have declared null and void. Schools can redraft criteria of admission points and it should be just, transparent and fair. They cannot reserve seats or decide admission criteria according to their whims and fancies," said Kejriwal.

The Delhi High Court has asked the Kejriwal government to file reply in the matter by January 25. The next hearing in the case has been fixed on January 28.

By Premji