For the past few days, Sonu, who works as a driver with app-based platforms, hasn’t been reporting for work. The Zamrudpur resident has been going to different schools and filling out admission forms for his son, who is set to enter Class IX. “My son scored 93% marks in Class VIII; he has always been one of the top five students in his class. And yet I am struggling to find a school to take him in,” he said.
Sonu’s son had been studying at Daisy Dales Senior Secondary School in East of Kailash. In November last year, however, the school’s senior secondary division was disaffiliated from the CBSE — leaving several students in the lurch. But it is parents like Sonu who are worst hit — their children were admitted under the EWS (Economically Weaker Section) quota.
Varsha’s son had been studying at Daisy Dales from Class VIII. She told The Indian Express, “I filled forms at four schools and I’m still awaiting a response. Two of the schools have high fees but I applied out of desperation.”
In its order dated November 4, 2024, the CBSE withdrew provisional affiliation granted up to the senior secondary level to Daisy Dales Senior Secondary School. This disaffiliation, a result of “non-compliance with CBSE bylaws”, directly affected 205 students — 96 studying in Class IX and 109 studying in Class XI.
Aggrieved by the CBSE order, the father of a student moved the Delhi High Court last month with the help of advocate Rushab Aggarwal. On March 12, the HC directed the CBSE to ensure that the students are admitted to a school of an equivalent level.
It’s been a month since the order. The new term started in April and many parents are still running around trying to find a school that will take in their children.
Savita, a resident of Zamrudpur, is worried about her daughter, also an EWS student, who is now in Class IX. Her husband, a block painter, does not earn much.
“My daughter had been studying at the school since nursery. For a child, the entire process of moving to a new school, new classmates, teachers and environment is a lot to deal with — especially when some of her classmates have been able to get admission and she is sitting at home. Her mental health is being affected… she’s upset that she can’t go to school,” she said.
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Some parents who managed to secure admissions for their children said they had no option even though the fees in the new schools were higher.
Wasim’s daughter had been studying at Daisy Dales since 2014. “… We have to pay 13,000 now. I could not waste more time as the session had started. My child’s first day in school was on April 10. I wish we had been given more time to find another school…”
Another parent said, “I am a cab driver and earn Rs 13,000 a month. I had to put my child in a different school, I had no option since my child couldn’t secure admission under the EWS quota. Now, I have to pay Rs 8,000 as fees.”
In the petition, Aggarwal submitted that the rights of the students would be prejudiced and they would be constrained to leave the school with the problem of searching for another school.
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Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma said in his order: “In view of the submissions made by learned counsel for the parties, it is directed that the students who are shifted from Daisy Dales Senior Secondary School shall be shifted to the nearby school(s) of the equivalent standard by the Regional Officer, Delhi (East).”
CBSE officials did not comment on the status of EWS quota students.
“The school didn’t comply with CBSE rules and it was, therefore, disaffiliated. We made sure that each child is given a school of the same standard,” they said.
Referring to the order, Rushab and Riddhima Aggarwal, counsel for the father, said “it is a testament to the humane facet of our robust judicial system”. “The court immediately directed that all students of the disaffiliated school would be shifted to a nearby private school…”