Ensure Formation, Functioning Of Parent Teacher Associations In Private Schools: High Court To Delhi Govt

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the Delhi Government to ensure that parent-teacher associations (PTAs) are formed and functioning in unaided private schools in the national capital.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia issued notice on a PIL filed by NGO Justice For All and sought response of Delhi Government's Directorate of Education.

The Court directed the Delhi Government to bring on record steps taken by the DoE to ensure that every private school has a duly constituted parent-teacher association in place.

“We also direct that in the meantime, action shall be taken to ensure the formation and functioning of such associations in all schools," the Court directed.

The plea states that the constitution of Parent Teacher Associations (PTA) is important to ensure regular, free, and fair elections for the Executive Committee of the PTA, as mandated by the Delhi School Education Act, 1973.

It adds that the PTA is a statutory body of vital importance, intended to foster cooperation between parents and teachers and to act as a crucial component of the school's governance and accountability framework.

“That despite the clear statutory mandate, a vast majority of private schools have deliberately flouted the law by either not constituting a PTA at all or by creating sham PTAs with hand-picked members, thereby rendering the body toothless and defeating the very purpose of its existence. This has created a situation where parents are left without a legitimate forum to voice their concerns and are deprived of their statutory right to challenge exorbitant fee increases,” the plea states.

Justice for All further contends that the Delhi Government has failed to discharge its statutory duty to monitor and enforce the law, and that its alleged inaction has allowed private schools to operate with immunity, undermining the rule of law and adversely affecting the rights of lakhs of students and their parents across Delhi.

“The Petitioner made a representation to the Respondent No. 2 highlighting the issue, but no concrete action has been taken, compelling the Petitioner to approach this Hon'ble Court for redressal,” the plea submits.

Title: JUSTICE FOR ALL v. DIRECTORATE OF EDUCATION, GNCTD