Vijender Gupta Accuses Delhi Government’s Education Reforms of Corruption; AAP Hits Back
New Delhi: On Friday, Vijender Gupta, Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, sharply criticized the Delhi government’s education reforms, labeling the “much-hyped education revolution” under the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as a “massive scam and a smoke screen of corruption.” Gupta has called for a thorough investigation into the alleged mismanagement and financial irregularities associated with these reforms.
In a press conference, Gupta described the AAP government’s initiatives—including the Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University (DSEU), Delhi Teachers’ University, and Delhi Sports University—as “monumental failures.” He accused the Kejriwal administration of undermining recruitment processes, bypassing UPSC and DSSSB regulations, and appointing political allies to high-paying positions, with salaries reaching up to Rs. 3.5 lakhs.
Gupta also criticized the DSEU for its lack of infrastructure, citing deficiencies in basic amenities such as water and power connections. He claimed that the university had failed to meet the required staffing levels, with only 85 non-teaching staff out of 1,700 required, and a significant shortfall in teaching staff. Additionally, Gupta alleged that the DSEU had not secured All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) approval for its courses and reported that admissions for 2024 had been halted due to low student interest.
The Delhi Teachers’ University and Delhi Sports University were also targeted in Gupta’s critique, with claims that the former operates from inadequate facilities and the latter exists only on paper. He accused the AAP government of wasting over Rs. 1,000 crore on the DSEU, raising fees by 400-500 percent, and failing to compensate guest faculty members.
In response, the AAP defended its record, highlighting the significant investment in education with 24 percent of its annual budget allocated to the sector—the highest in India. The party countered Gupta’s allegations by pointing to the “appalling” conditions in BJP-ruled states such as Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana, where education budgets and infrastructure are reportedly under severe strain. The AAP criticized the BJP for its alleged neglect of education, citing a dramatic decrease in the education budget in Uttar Pradesh from 18 percent in 2016-17 to 12 percent in 2022-23.
The AAP’s statement emphasized that while the Delhi government has made substantial investments in education, BJP-ruled states exhibit a troubling lack of commitment to improving educational standards. The party accused the BJP of failing to address the deteriorating conditions in schools under its governance, describing the situation as a legacy of “neglect and failure.”
As both parties exchange heated accusations, the debate over Delhi’s education reforms continues to stir controversy, reflecting broader political and policy tensions.
