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SC asks states to give Rs 2,000 per month for education of children from institutions now with their families

New Delhi
December 15, 2020

The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed all states to provide Rs 2,000 a month for the education of each child who was in Child Care Institution (CCI) and now been restored to his/her family during the COVID-19 pandemic. The apex court also said state governments should provide necessary infrastructure, including books and stationery to CCIs for the online classes of children living there on the basis of recommendation from district child protection units within 30 days.

A bench headed by Justice L Nageswara Rao said states should ensure that the required number of teachers are made available to teach children in CCIs.

The bench, also comprising Justices Hemant Gupta and Ajay Rastogi, was told that 2,27,518 children were in CCIs when the COVID-19 pandemic started and 1,45,788 have been restored with their families or guardians.

It said states would pay Rs 2,000 per month for their education and this amount has to be given at the recommendation of the District Child Protection Unit, keeping in mind the financial position of the children's families.

Noting the importance and the need for providing education to those who have been restored with their families, the bench directed that district child protection units shall coordinate and oversee the progress made in the matter.

The apex court also directed that child protection units would inform the district legal services authority about the progress made regarding the issue of facilities for children in CCIs.
It observed that teachers should be permitted to teach the children as the pandemic had affected normal life since March this year and the children did not have the opportunity to attend classes.