The Delhi High Court has stayed an order directing private schools to pay staff salaries, citing the financial constraints faced by the institutions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Background: The order was passed by a single-judge bench of the court, which directed private schools to pay full salaries to their staff, including teachers and non-teaching employees. Parties: The petition was filed by the Action Committee of Unaided Private Schools, which represents over 500 private schools in Delhi. Legal issues: The committee argued that the order was passed without considering the financial difficulties faced by the schools, which have been closed since March 2020 due to the pandemic. Court observations: The division bench of the High Court observed that the single-judge bench had not considered the financial implications of the order on the schools. Significance: The stay order is significant as it provides relief to private schools, which have been struggling to pay staff salaries due to the loss of revenue during the pandemic. The court's decision is expected to impact over 500 private schools in Delhi, which employ thousands of teachers and non-teaching staff.