**Supreme Court Directs States to Ensure Free Education for Orphans**
The Supreme Court of India has mandated state governments to issue notifications enabling orphans, children from economically weaker sections, and disadvantaged groups to access free education in private schools under the 25% quota provision. This directive came from a bench comprising Justices BV Nagarathna and KV Vishwanathan during the hearing of the case Paulomi Pavini Shukla vs. Union of India.
The court noted that several states, including Meghalaya, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat, and Delhi, have already complied by issuing the necessary notifications. Consequently, the Supreme Court has instructed all other states to follow suit within four weeks. The court emphasized that these notifications should include orphans in the definition outlined in Section 12(1)(c) of the Right to Education (RTE) Act.
Additionally, the bench directed states to conduct a survey of orphan children who have either been admitted to schools or denied admission. The survey must document the reasons for any refusals, and states are encouraged to take proactive measures to facilitate the admission of orphan children into schools.
The court’s instructions also addressed the need for standardized education, reservation policies, and a comprehensive survey to assess the orphan population in India. It highlighted the absence of official data on orphan children, reflecting a broader societal neglect of vulnerable groups.
During the proceedings, Shukla argued that the Government of India lacks accurate statistics on orphan children, relying instead on estimates from NGOs and organizations like UNICEF, which suggest there are approximately 29.6 million orphaned children in the country.
In summary, the Supreme Court’s ruling aims to enhance educational access for orphans and ensure that their needs are recognized and addressed within the educational framework of India.
**FAQ**
**Q: What is the Supreme Court’s recent directive regarding orphans and education?**
A: The Supreme Court has ordered state governments to issue notifications allowing orphans and disadvantaged children to receive free education in private schools under the 25% quota, and to conduct surveys on their admission status.
