The Delhi Government has ordered that those children who became orphan or lost a parent due to Covid or otherwise will continue to receive education free of cost in schools.

 In an effort to ensure that such children continue their education, the order issued on Friday said these students may be adjusted in the same school, if running on DDA or government allotted land under freeship category immediately.

 Or, such students may be treated as a student studying under Economically Weaker Section/Disadvantaged Group category and reimbursement may be claimed from the Directorate of Education, Delhi up to elementary level and after 8th class such students may be guided/facilitated for admission in any government school for, their uninterrupted further education, the order said.

 Further, all the DDE (District) were directed to ensure that such cases do not remain pending at School/Zonal/District level. If any case is pending at any level, the, proposal of the same will be submitted to PSB for approval of Competent Authority by September 30.

 “In continuance of the Circular No. DE.(178)/PSB/2021/3739-3743 dated 22.09.2021 issued by DDE (PSB) and in compliance with orders dated 27/07/2021 of Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in Case SMW(C) No. 4 of 2020, Children who have become orphans or lost a parent after March, 2020 either due to COVID-19 or otherwise, need due attention to enable them to continue their education in Private Unaided/Aided Recognized schools.

 All District DDEs were directed to ensure the continuation of the study of all such students. These students may be adjusted in the same school, if running on DDA or government allotted land. under freeship category immediately.

 Or, such students may be treated as a student studying under Economically Weaker Section/Disadvantaged Group category and reimbursement may be claimed from. the Directorate of Education, Delhi upto elementary level and after 8th class such students may be guided/facilitated for admission in any government school for, their uninterrupted further education.Further, all the DDE (District) are hereby directed to ensure that such cases do not remain pending at School/Zonal/District level. If any case is pending at any level, the, proposal of the same will be submitted to PSB for approval of Competent Authority by September 30,” the order said.

Data from the Delhi government shows that the national capital saw a decline in birth rate after the COVID-19 pandemic as it reduced from 18.35 per 1000 population to 14.85 in 2020, according to the latest report of the government. The ‘Annual Report on Registration of Births and Deaths in Delhi-2023’ also said that out of 13,919 non-institutional births, 7,216 (51.84 per cent) were females.