Govt issues directive to prevent enrolment of illegal Bangladeshi migrants in Delhi schools

The Directorate of Education (DoE) of the Delhi government has issued a detailed circular on Dec 23 emphasizing stringent verification protocols during school admissions to prevent the enrolment of illegal Bangladeshi migrants.

The directive issued applies to all recognized government, government-aided, and private schools in Delhi.

The circular mandates schools to enforce robust admission procedures and intensify scrutiny of documentation to detect unauthorized applications. "Schools must ensure strict admission procedures, verification of students' documentation to prevent illegal Bangladeshi migrants' enrollment, implementation of greater scrutiny to detect and prevent unauthorized admissions of illegal Bangladeshi migrants, in particular," the circular states.

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi highlighted the directive's importance, sharing the order on social media platform X (formely Twitter). She stated, “Today, the Education Department of the Delhi government has passed a strict order that no Rohingya should be given admission in the government schools of Delhi. We will not let the rights of the people of Delhi be taken away!”

In cases of doubt regarding the authenticity of submitted documents, school heads have been instructed to report such cases to local police and revenue authorities for further investigation. Additionally, district-level education offices are required to submit weekly reports to the school branch headquarters and the Directorate of Education.

Documentation and Verification Requirements

The circular outlines specific documents required during the admission process, including Aadhaar cards, birth certificates, and valid proof of residence such as rent agreements or utility bills. Schools are tasked with cross-verifying these documents to ensure their authenticity and flagging any discrepancies to the DoE.

Law enforcement agencies have raised concerns about illegal migrants using counterfeit documents to secure school admissions, posing potential risks to national security. The directive aims to address these concerns while ensuring that genuine applicants retain unhindered access to education.

Education department officials clarified that the primary objective of the directive is to safeguard the integrity of the education system. “This order seeks to protect the education system from misuse while ensuring that deserving students continue to access their right to education,” an official explained.

The directive also includes provisions for raising awareness among parents and guardians. Schools have been advised to conduct informational sessions to explain the updated documentation requirements and prevent confusion during the admission process.

Amid heightened scrutiny of immigration policies and concerns about illegal migration, the government’s initiative strives to strike a balance between safeguarding national interests and upholding the right to education for all eligible students.

Schools are urged to maintain transparency and fairness in their admission processes, reinforcing public trust in the system.