HC seeks affidavits from edu officials on elementary course admissions

The ‘delay’ in initiating the admission process for the two-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed) course for the 2025-27 session has prompted self-financed colleges in the state to approach the Punjab and Haryana High Court. They argue that the delay will make it impossible to meet the mandatory 200 teaching days required in each academic year.

Hearing a petition filed by the Haryana Self-Finance Private Colleges Association, the court has directed the Secretary, Department of Education, and the Director, SCERT (State Council of Educational Research and Training), Haryana, to file personal affidavits within 10 days.

“Similar delays occurred during the 2023-25 session, resulting in academic loss and a shortage of trained teachers across the state. Even last year, admissions were conducted only after court intervention. The admission process for the D.El.Ed course begins in April and is completed by July. However, more than half of August has passed, and the authorities have yet to begin the process. Over 350 self-financed colleges are offering this course, with an intake capacity of over 20,000 students,” said Satish Khola, president of the association.

He further said the court observed that such delays not only affect private colleges’ operations but also have a larger adverse impact on the education system, as the supply of qualified teachers is disrupted. The court also observed that the responsibility to conduct admissions lies with the government, which must treat it with seriousness. The case has been listed for further hearing on August 25.

Meanwhile, Saroj Kumari, Deputy Director, SCERT, said no official instructions regarding the admissions had been received so far from the Director, Elementary Education.

Another SCERT official, requesting anonymity, revealed that they had written to the Department of Elementary Education nearly two months ago, seeking guidance on the admission process. “However, no response has been received,” he said.