Rohingya Refugee Children Denied School Admissions in Delhi

Rohingya refugees in Delhi are encountering significant obstacles in securing school admissions for their children due to the lack of essential documentation, particularly Aadhaar cards, The Indian Express reported yesterday.

Activists and legal advocates have criticized this situation, asserting that the denial of admissions violates the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, as well as Article 21-A of the Indian Constitution.

Despite a circular from the Directorate of Education issued in July 2017, which allows for the admission of refugee children without Aadhaar, many families report being turned away from government schools. Official sources indicate that nearly 1,000 children from various nationalities are enrolled in Delhi government schools, suggesting that the policy is not being uniformly applied.

In Khajuri Khas, a settlement for Rohingya refugees, only a small fraction of eligible children are currently enrolled in local schools. Community leaders are advocating for better access to education, emphasizing the long-term implications of these barriers on the children’s futures. The issue has garnered attention from child-rights activists, who are calling for immediate action to ensure that refugee children receive their right to education.