Supply writing material for classes 1 to 8 by April 15, Education dept instructs Delhi govt schools

Twelve notebooks will be given to Class 6 to 8 students. Stationery items like poster colours can be given within a limit of Rs 400.  A geometry box, priced at Rs 30, for Class 8 students has also been added.

All classes of students from classes 1 to 8 have to be equipped with writing material by April 15 for the 2025-26 academic session, the Education Department has instructed heads of Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) schools.

The instructions need to be implemented in accordance with the Delhi High Court's February 2023 instructions, the circular issued on Thursday emphasized.  The department instructed the school principals to "follow the same policy to provide writing material in kind only during the academic session 2025-26 as per existing specification and rate".

For class 1 and 2 students, eight notebooks with a maximum allowable price for writing material at Rs 300 will be given. For class 3 to 5 students, 10 notebooks will be given and other items like pencil set box and stationery items. The maximum limit for this has been fixed at Rs 300.

Twelve notebooks shall be supplied to students of classes 6 to 8. Stationery such as poster colours can be supplied within a sum of Rs 400.  A geometry box at the cost of Rs 30, for Class 8 students, has also been added.

Other than this, it is at the discretion of schools to include any other item as part of writing items or stationery, as long as it is within the specified price limit, informed the department.

Respective deputy directors (Education) of district levels have been directed to file a compliance report by April 20.

In 2013, NGO Social Jurist had approached HC, alleging that students in MCD schools and those under Delhi Directorate of Education are "being deprived of statutory benefits like uniform, writing material, notebook, and scholarship".