Madras High Court Rules: State Must Fully Cover Expenses for EWS Students' Education!
In a significant decision, the Madras High Court has emphasized that the State government is obligated to bear all costs associated with the education of Economically Weaker Section (EWS) students under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act. In an order dated April 18, Justice M Dhandapani declared that the State cannot evade responsibility by limiting reimbursement to tuition fees alone. The Court firmly asserted that the State must cover all expenses, including books and study materials, ensuring that EWS students are not burdened with any financial obligations. The ruling establishes that the State has a duty, as mandated by the Directive Principles of State Policy, to provide free and compulsory education to disadvantaged groups and weaker sections, as enumerated under the Constitution. The Court's decision came in response to a petition filed by M Suveathan, represented by his father, seeking intervention from the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights. The petitioner, admitted to a private unaided matriculation school, faced additional fees for uniforms and study materials, preventing him from fully accessing education. The State government's argument that only tuition fees are covered by the Act was dismissed by the Court, which affirmed that books, uniforms, and other materials are integral to education and must be fully reimbursed by the State for all EWS students across Tamil Nadu.
TAGS: Madras High Court State government EWS students education expenses Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act reimbursement financial burden directive principles disadvantaged groups Constitution petition private unaided matriculation school uniforms study materials access ruling obligation cover integral Tamil Nadu.
