Ensure career guidance, counselling for Class 11, 12 students: HC to Delhi government

The HC stressed upon the importance of career guidance to students of Classes 11 and 12 and directed the authorities to ensure an appropriate system of counselling in schools.

The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi government to examine the issue of providing career guidance to school students in consultation with experts. The HC of the national capital also stressed upon the importance of career guidance to students of Classes 11 and 12. It further added that authorities must ensure an appropriate system of counselling in schools.

The court order came on a petition by an “exemplary student” who failed to secure admission in Delhi University, allegedly on account of his school not cautioning him that two of the subjects opted by him in class 12 were not considered as “main” subjects by the varsity, which attracted a penalty of 2.5% deduction of marks at the time of admission.

The court refused to grant the reliefs sought by the petitioner but said if students are made aware of the admission policies of different universities, it will help them make an informed decision regarding their subject choices.

“It must be emphasised that career guidance to students in Class XI and XII is crucial. It is indeed essential that students are counselled in this decision-making process. Respondent authorities, who supervise education imparted to students, must step-in to ensure that there is an appropriate system of counselling in schools, career guidance programmes/ career fairs, to assist students,” said the court in its recent order. The court recorded while the Delhi government counsel concurred that such systems must be in place, “he is unable to readily cite the same”.

“Accordingly, the present petition is disposed of with a direction to GNCTD (Delhi government)/ DoE (Department of Education) to examine this issue in consultation with experts in the field and in case, any lacunae is required to be filled-in, they may do so by issuing appropriate directions to schools,” the court ordered.

The petitioner also plead to cancel the CBSE affiliation of his school, saying it lacks foundation and is untenable as “improper career counselling to some students cannot be a ground for de-affiliation/ de-accreditation, in absence of any statutory provision that provides for such a penalty”. However, the court rejected the prayer.

It also observed there was no basis to hold that the petitioner's choice was not voluntary and that the school should have disapproved or opposed his option because it was likely to impact his admission prospects in DU.

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