Orphan definition so precise, nursery admission quota goes empty
On December 14, the Directorate of Education (DoE) announced guidelines for nursery admission for the 2013-14 academic year. For the first time, it stated that “orphans” be included “within the meaning of children belonging to disadvantaged groups”. The child welfare committees were authorised to provide these certificates to students who may apply to private, unaided schools and avail 25 per cent reservation of seats for economically weaker sections and disadvantaged groups under the Right to Education Act.
The Delhi Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Rules makes clear that “orphan” means “a child who is without parents or willing and capable legal or natural guardian”.
According to Rajiv Kale, Director of the Department of Women and Child Development (DWCD), the legal interpretation of the rule would exclude children in orphanages or child care institutions since superintendents of these institutions become legal guardians of the children. This would mean that they cannot apply under the reserved category.
Officials at the department said orphan certificates will be provided only after verification of death certificates and completion of social investigation of the child. They said it had also been noticed that many among the lower income
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