School admission of Rohingya children: Representation sent to MHA
Nov 04, 2024
New Delhi [India], November 4 : Following the Delhi High Court's recent directions, a representation has been submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) regarding admissions of children of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar in local schools.
Last week, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed by the NGO Social Jurist, sought direction to address the issue of school admissions for Rohingya refugee children from Myanmar.
During the hearing, the court stated that the Rohingyas are considered foreigners who have not been officially recognized for entry into India.
As a result, the PIL was disposed of with the instruction to the NGO to made a representation to the Ministry of Home Affairs for a legal resolution.
The representation asserts that many Myanmar Rohingya children, currently residing in Sri Ram Colony, Khajoori Chowk, hold UNHRC-issued refugee cards and are of school age. Citing Articles 14, 21, and 21-A of the Indian Constitution, along with the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, the NGO argues that all children on Indian soil, regardless of citizenship, are entitled to free education.
The NGO emphasizes that a directive from the Ministry could significantly benefit numerous refugee children across the country. It contends that no child should be excluded from education due to their refugee status, highlighting the moral imperative to provide education to all children.
The Delhi High Court's bench, led by Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, recently highlighted the need for the government to make decisions on this issue, stating that it should not be addressed through court proceedings.
The PIL pointed out the unlawful actions of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi in denying necessary educational benefits to Rohingya children, framing this as a violation of their fundamental rights.
