Private school managements in Delhi have put up stiff opposition to the Delhi Government’s order requiring school buses, drivers and cleaners to be kept at the Government’s disposal for use during the days when the odd-even formula will be implemented in the Capital from January 1-15.
In a writ petition filed before the Delhi High Court, the Action Committee of Unaided Recognised Private Schools challenged the orders issued by the Directorate of Education on December 18 and December 21 ordering private schools to spare their buses and staff while schools remain shut.
The association in its petition filed by advocate Pramod Gupta sought to know under which provision of the Delhi School Education Act 1973 such an order could be passed. The letter issued to the private school managements contained no reference of the said Act. The schools even took offence of the fact that a democratically-elected Government, instead of securing constitutional rights of private schools under Article 19, 21 and 300A, was making claim over the private property of the schools in an autocratic manner.
Considering the urgency of the matter, the court is expected to give an early date of hearing. The petition even submitted that the order issued by Delhi Government violated provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988. It said that at the time of granting permit for the school bus, an undertaking is given by the concerned educational society owning the vehicles that Buses will be used only for the purpose of transporting students or staff of the educational institution in connection with its educational activities. This rule will be breached if the Delhi Government employs the fleet of school buses as public transport.