Delhi MCD School Students Still Await Financial Aid as Academic Year Draws to a Close
As the academic year approaches its conclusion, a significant number of students enrolled in Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) schools are still waiting to receive crucial financial assistance intended for purchasing uniforms, bags, and stationery. This delay has left many families in distress, struggling to afford essential educational items for their children.
Widespread Impact on Students and Families
Approximately 2.32 lakh students across about 1,500 MCD schools have not yet received the annual aid of Rs 1,670 per student. This amount is allocated under a government scheme that facilitates direct bank transfers (DBT), with Rs 1,250 for uniforms, Rs 300 for stationery, and Rs 120 for bags. Parents like Rajesh Pandit, a mason whose son is in Class 5, express frustration over the prolonged wait. "I am told by the school to check my account again and again... but not even a single rupee has been credited so far," he said, highlighting the difficulty in managing expenses without this support.
Another parent, Ravirajan Pandey, a security guard from Anand Vihar, shared a similar ordeal. Despite having a functional bank account, he has not received the aid and had to spend Rs 1,300 out of pocket for uniforms. "I bought two school uniforms on my own. Till when will I wait?" he questioned, underscoring the financial strain on low-income families.
Administrative and Funding Challenges
Senior officials have pointed to funding delays as a primary cause. In a Budget speech last December, then MCD commissioner Ashwani Kumar confirmed the number of affected students. The total grant-in-aid for this purpose is estimated at Rs 235 crore, with Rs 109 crore earmarked for DBT transactions. However, only Rs 58 crore has been received so far, and the MCD has released an additional Rs 19 crore from its own funds to mitigate the situation.
This marks the first time such a significant delay has occurred, according to officials. The first instalment was received in September, with a sanction order for the second instalment dated October 31. The MCD sent two letters in November 2025—on the 6th and 14th—requesting the release of funds, but responses have been pending. Notably, in September, the MCD had announced that Rs 109 crore was transferred to student accounts, but this claim contrasts with the current reality.
Conflicting Explanations and Broader Issues
MCD Education Committee chairman Yogesh Verma asserted that there is no financial crunch, attributing the delay to students lacking functional bank accounts or not complying with KYC norms. However, sources indicate that 30,000-35,000 students are experiencing disbursement delays, suggesting broader administrative hurdles.
Teachers and principals have expressed helplessness, noting changes in the disbursement process. Previously, funds were transferred to schools and then to student accounts, but this year, the Education department required uploading student details to a portal within a tight timeframe. A teacher reported that 33 students in her school are still awaiting funds, despite following procedures.
Naveen Sangwan, Joint General Secretary of the Akhil Delhi Prathmik Sikshak Sangh, highlighted that the issue extends beyond DBT. "The annual budget allocated to the principal of a school, which goes up to Rs 2 lakh, to carry out minor repairs in schools, has also not been received," he said, indicating systemic funding gaps in MCD schools.
Lack of Official Response
When contacted for comment, no response was received from the office of Education Minister Ashish Sood, leaving many questions unanswered about the timeline for resolving this critical issue. As the academic year nears its end, the delay in financial aid continues to impact the educational experience of thousands of students in Delhi.
