Delhi High Court Orders Investigation into 'Dummy Schools' Allowing Students to Take Exams Without Attending Classes
The Delhi High Court has taken a firm stand against the operation of 'dummy schools' in the national capital, directing an inspection into institutions that allow students to appear for exams without attending regular classes.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela has instructed the Delhi Government and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to conduct a thorough survey and take necessary legal action if violations are found.
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The court noted that these dummy schools are operating in collaboration with coaching centres, enabling students to skip regular school hours and focus solely on exam preparation. This practice is not only a violation of educational norms but also impacts the quality of learning.
“The PIL petition, though concerns itself with the 'dummy schools' which lend their premises and other facilities only for the purposes of allowing students to take the examination being conducted by various education boards in Delhi, though such students never attend the classes in the schools,” the court observed.
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Furthermore, the bench pointed out that such schools are misused by students from outside Delhi to falsely claim domicile benefits. These institutions allow non-resident students to access Delhi-based reservation benefits in higher education and vocational courses, thereby disadvantaging local students.
The matter was brought to the court through a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Dr. Rajeev Aggarwal. The court emphasized that this issue not only concerns public interest but also directly affects the educational system and the future of young students.
The Delhi Government and CBSE have been instructed to:
Conduct a detailed survey and inspection of suspected dummy schools. Share their findings and submit an affidavit detailing the actions taken. Carry out surprise inspections if necessary to ensure compliance.
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“We also direct the Education Department of the State Government of Delhi to conduct a survey, and if warranted, surprise inspections shall also be conducted to collect the necessary information and share the same with the CBSE,” the bench ordered.
The court further directed CBSE to coordinate with the Delhi Government, gather evidence, and initiate legal proceedings against institutions found guilty of running dummy schools.
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The issue of dummy schools is not new in India. Courts have previously raised concerns about schools that exist only on paper, operating without proper infrastructure or academic engagement. In multiple cases, the judiciary has emphasized the importance of strict regulations and monitoring to curb such malpractices.
The matter has been scheduled for a follow-up hearing on May 7, where the Delhi Government and CBSE are expected to present their findings and action plans.
