Over a month after the Union Ministry of Education sent a letter to the Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL), Karnataka to verify and take appropriate action against a private school that allegedly denied admission in class 2 to a child suffering from mild hyperactivity, the department is yet to take any action.
The letter from the Union Government dated May 15 stated that the grievance of the parents of the child highlights the need to ensure that schools adopt inclusive education practices, provide equal access to the right to education, and eliminate any form of discrimination or victimisation of children based on their abilities. The letter sought an action taken report at the earliest.
John Peter, father of the student, complained to the Union Ministry of Education through e-mail that the management of Vidyashilp School, Bagalur, has decided to cancel his son’s admission for class 2 based on his learning challenges, disregarding professional assessments and recommendations for accommodation. “The assessment report suggested that he has average intellectual functioning, moderate inattentiveness and impulsivity, and mild hyperactivity,” he said.
After examining the complaint, Anusree Raha, Deputy Secretary to the Government of India wrote to the Principal Secretary, DSEL.
Rashmi Mahesh, Principal Secretary, DSEL had earlier told The Hindu that the complaint was referred to the Commissioner of Public Instruction, and we need to get the action taken report (ATR) by June 17. However, no action has been taken yet, and Ms. Mahesh was not available for comment.
School claims they did not deny admission
The Commissioner for Persons with Disability Act, on the complaint of the child’s parents, had sent a letter to Vidyashilp School requesting admission for the child.
In its clarification to The Hindu, the Vidyashilp School management said that they had received a communication from the Commissioner for Persons with Disability Act, and they would be responding to the same.
Further the management claimed that the school had not denied admission to the student, but rather the father had moved the child to another school, while the school was still in discussion with the parent on additional support for the child as per the child’s assessment report.
“In the last meeting held on April 12, 2025 with the principal and academic head, it was very clearly stated to the parent that the child would get the necessary support in Vidyashilp School in class 2. When the point on additional support was spoken about by the school authorities, the father of the student, stood up and said that his child had already got admission in another school,” it stated.
‘Will go to court’
John Peter told The Hindu that it was painful that no action was taken despite the Union Ministry of Education writing to DSEL. “I will write again to the Union Ministry of Education regarding the progress of my complaint. If my child does not get justice, I will approach the court,” he said.