The Delhi High Court has sought a response from the AAP government on a plea seeking direction that all the schools run by civic bodies should be taken over by Delhi government.

A division bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal asked Delhi government, North, South, East Delhi Municipal Corporation, New Delhi Municipal Council, Delhi Cantonment Board and Central government on the issue by September 19.

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The plea said in 2010, the NCERT Committee on RTE (Right to Education) Implementation had recommended that all schools run by the government, civic bodies be administered by one single body i.e., the government of NCT of Delhi.

During the hearing, the court said: “Sort out all the problems. Civic agencies have to look for other civic amenities… Where is the scope of running schools.”

The plea filed by NGO Social Jurist through advocate Ashok Agarwal said that over 25 lakh students study in Delhi government and local bodies run schools in Delhi which are under different authorities.

“If all civic authorities schools are brought under the Delhi government there could be much better management and utilisation of physical infrastructure and academic resources,” said the plea.

“In the interest of the students which normally come from economically weaker sections, Delhi government is bound by law to implement the recommendation of the committee and failure to not do so tantamount to a failure to perform Constitutional and Statutory duties, obligations and functions,” plea added.