At a time Delhi is readying for civic body election, people are pressing for an improvement in MCD-run schools. A charter of demands will be presented to the representatives of all political parties at a Jan Manch on March 25 in East Delhi’s Trilokpuri. The parties have been asked to present their position on the crucial issue of education, and to respond to public demands on the same.

They want an adequate number of teachers, clean and functional toilets, availability of drinking water facility and proper seats for students in the schools. They also want timely formation of school management committees (SMC) so that there is greater participation of community in improving the schools. Also there should be an effective grievance redressal mechanism in schools and the education department.

These are the demands that emerged at the public meeting organised earlier this month by the NGO Josh to understand the problems children and their parents face on delivery of education in the government-run schools.

Saurabh Sharma of Josh says, “Soon it will be two years of Right to Education (RTE). This is the first time people are seeing it as a right. Education has never been an election issue. But now we want political leaders to take it seriously and ensure that quality education is given to children in government-run schools.”