Child panel issues notice over ‘non-availability’ of Legal Studies subject in Delhi Govt schools

“The Prime Minister (on Independence Day) spoke about the safety of women and employment as well, but all this is implemented at school-level where it is not happening. Incidents like the rape of a doctor in Kolkata occur today and such crimes against women including the Nirbhaya case in Delhi, the school student in Udaipur, and incidents in Kannauj call for the need for legal education in schools,” said Punj.

The complaint highlighted that over 2,000 students have opted for the Legal Studies subject in Class 11 in 29 North East Delhi Zone 1 schools.

It further said that the subject has not been introduced in other districts and zones in contravention of the Right to Education Act.

In an order dated April 3, the Education Department approved the introduction of Legal Studies at senior secondary level in 29 schools in North East-1. As per the order, the school heads were advised to complete all requisite formalities as laid down by the Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE) to start teaching the additional subject.

A teacher in a Delhi government school requesting anonymity said, “The major issue is the non-introduction of Legal Studies subject in all schools. The number of schools with the subject is too low to provide resources across Delhi.”

The teacher explained, “Almost no law graduate teachers are available in the Department… There is only a temporary arrangement for teaching the subject.”

To teach Legal Studies, the teacher must possess either a Bachelor’s Degree in Law or a Master’s Degree in Political Science, Public Administration, or International Relations, along with a Bachelor of Education (BEd), or a Master’s Degree in Law (LLM) as per the CBSE rules.

Regarding the availability of law graduate teachers, the teacher mentioned, “Recruitment of teachers can be initiated only with post-fixation. This is still pending by the Department and it is a must to make available regular teachers to teach the subject.”

“The introduction of the subject is important in all schools recognised by the Delhi Education Department for a smooth and honest foundation for awareness, as well as to reduce crimes,” added the teacher.

The CBSE decided to introduce the elective subject for Class 11 and Class 12 students from the 2013-14 academic session.

Students have raised concerns about the subject not being introduced in their schools. For instance, a Class 11 student in Ghonda, New Delhi wrote a letter in July to the school head stating, “I have taken admission in Arts stream, I wish to study Legal Studies subject instead of Geography. I request you to take forward my appeal to the Director of Education… learning Legal Studies subject will help me secure a better future.”

In another letter accessed under the ‘Mission India Legal Studies Campaign’ organised by Punj, a Class 10 student wrote, “It is my dream. I want to become an advocate… I will fight for free cases of women so that they get justice and ensure that women get their rights in society.”