New Delhi: Aiming to eventually increase the number of private schools in densely populated areas and reduce procedural delays, Delhi govt has replaced the decades-old mandatory essentiality certificate with a self-certification system for granting school recognition.The move eliminates an applicant’s requirement of first obtaining govt approval certifying that a new school is needed in a locality. Instead, promoters will self-certify compliance with prescribed norms under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, including infrastructure, safety and staffing requirements.Govt said the move will simplify the approval process, reduce red tape and encourage the establishment of more private schools.The decision does away with long-standing provisions under the Delhi School Education Act and Rules (DSER), 1973, and follows the recommendations of the high-level compliance reduction and deregulation exercise.According to officials, the changes bring Delhi’s school recognition framework in line with the provisions of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, under which recognition is based on objective norms such as infrastructure, safety standards, teacher qualifications and pupil-teacher ratios, rather than a govt’s assessment of whether a new school is required in a particular area.“By replacing the outdated essentiality Certificate with a simple self-certification system, we are shifting the focus from unnecessary administrative paperwork to what truly matters, which is excellent infrastructure, qualified teachers, and a good student-teacher ratio,” Delhi education minister Ashish Sood said.As part of the changes, Rule 44(3) has been amended to remove the requirement for govt intervention. Rule 50(ii) has also been revised, doing away with the provision that required authorities to assess the “real need” for a school by considering the number of existing schools in the area before granting recognition.“This reform brings Delhi’s rules in alignment with the central RTE Act, ensuring that school recognition is based strictly on transparent standards, not subjective hurdles,” Sood added.Alongside these procedural changes, govt has also relaxed the minimum land area requirement for setting up and registering private schools. Citing Delhi’s high urban density, it said the move is intended to reduce spatial constraints and enable quality schools to be established closer to residential neighbourhoods without compromising structural safety or educational standards.