MCD Orders Schools Used as Shelters to be Vacated Before Reopening
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has directed DUSIB to vacate school buildings used as temporary shelters before classes resume on July 1, following safety concerns raised by teachers.
AC Team
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has told the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) to clear out all government school buildings that are currently being used as temporary shelter homes. The deadline is tight because schools are set to reopen on July 1 after the summer break.
The education department of MCD sent a letter to DUSIB on Tuesday. This came after several teachers voiced their worries about keeping students safe. They pointed out that students would need to share school spaces with people living in the shelters.
What the Official Letter Says
The letter from MCD's education department was clear. It stated that permission to use school buildings as shelters for homeless people in south Delhi was part of the Summer Action Plan 2026. This permission was granted from May 15 to June 25.
The June 30 letter explained that the education department is getting ready to welcome students back after their summer break. It asked DUSIB to vacate all school buildings under MCD jurisdiction that were being used as shelters.
How This All Started
The schools were handed over to DUSIB after the Delhi High Court directed authorities to arrange accommodation for people staying near hospitals in Delhi's south district. DUSIB had written to MCD in April, asking to use the schools as temporary shelter homes during the peak summer period.
The request mentioned that this was needed to protect homeless persons during extreme weather conditions. The shelters were meant for people near major hospitals like AIIMS, Safdarjung, RML, and Lady Hardinge.
The Confusion Over Dates
There seems to be some disagreement about how long the arrangement was supposed to last. DUSIB had asked to use the schools until July 15. But the MCD education department says permission was only given until June 25. This is why they want the buildings vacated before schools reopen.
Why Teachers Are Worried
Teachers at four MCD schools in Green Park, Arjun Park, Gautam Nagar and Humayunpur have raised concerns. Their main worry is about student safety.
One teacher who chose not to give their name explained the problem. They said the main issue is not knowing who the shelter residents are. Most MCD schools have only one gate, and it needs to stay open for people using the shelter.
The teacher added that MCD schools don't have security guards. Keeping the school gate closed is the main way they ensure students stay safe inside the campus.
Another point the teacher made was about the age of students. Most children in MCD schools are below 10 or 12 years old. With limited staff, managing both regular school activities and shelter operations would be extremely difficult.
What's Happening at the Schools Now
When reporters visited two of the schools on June 29, they found that one hall in each campus had been turned into a 25 bed shelter home. These halls are normally used as classrooms. Several people who were undergoing treatment at hospitals in south Delhi were staying there.
At one school, workers were getting ready to remove 15 beds. They planned to bring back desks and chairs to the hall. The idea was to use the same space partly as a shelter home and partly as a classroom.
Stories from the Shelters
For some people, these school shelters have been a big help. Anil Kumar, 46, from Purnia in Bihar, has been living near AIIMS for three months while getting treatment for a tumour.
He was staying in a rented room in Yusuf Sarai, paying Rs 200 to Rs 300 every day. But he couldn't find affordable accommodation after a fire at a bed and breakfast in Malviya Nagar. Another patient told him about the shelter at the school.
Kumar said he had almost used up all his savings. Staying in Delhi costs more than the treatment itself. The shelter home came as a relief for him.
The Multiple Uses of School Buildings
One teacher pointed out something interesting. Just as teachers are expected to perform multiple roles, school premises are also used for multiple purposes by the government. This isn't the first time school buildings have been used for purposes other than education.
But balancing these different needs becomes tricky when student safety is involved.
What Happens Next
As of now, no one from the MCD education department, the Directorate of Education, or DUSIB has responded to questions about the situation. The deadline of July 1 is approaching fast.
The challenge is clear. On one side, there are homeless people and patients who need affordable shelter during treatment. On the other side, there are young students who need a safe environment to learn.
Finding a solution that works for everyone won't be easy. But with schools set to reopen in just a day, decisions need to be made quickly. The next few days will show how Delhi's authorities handle this delicate situation.
