Explainer (Ambala): Children from EWS category await admissions under RTE Act

WHILE the new academic session began last month, the children who wanted to study in the recognised private schools under the RTE Act are still waiting to get admissions. The delay on the part of the department in obtaining data related to seats and on the part of the private schools in declaring the seats have been prime reason behind the situation.

n Who are eligible to get admission in private schools under the RTE Act?

The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act provides admission to students belonging to economically weaker sections and disadvantaged groups in private recognised schools in the state. Under the RTE, 25 per cent seats are reserved in the first or entry-level classes for the children from these categories.

1. What led to the delay in admissions?

While the academic session began last month, the process for admissions under the RTE is not yet complete. The Directorate of Elementary Education in March end directed the District Elementary Education Officers to get the seats from the private recognised schools declared by April 1 and since then, the last date has been extended multiple times. The private schools also don’t show much interest in declaring the seats and providing admissions due to delay in reimbursement. The delay on the part of the department and declaration of seats delayed the admission process.

n What action was taken by department after schools didn’t declare seats?

Recently, the directorate made observation that some schools either failed to submit the required information or declared incorrect data. Consequently, their School MIS accounts were temporarily blocked and show-cause notices were issued. After the defaulting schools submitted their replies, a final opportunity was given to all private schools to submit or rectify their entry-level seat declarations in accordance with the RTE norms by May 23.

2. What will be the next step?

After the submission of the data related to 25 per cent reserved seats, the department will initiate a verification drive for the declared seats as well as the uploaded recognition certificates. As per the Education Department officials, after the verification, the admission of the eligible students will be ensured at the recognised private schools.

3. What does the private school operators claim?

Kulbhushan Sharma, president of the National Independent Schools Alliance said the department had set a wrong trend to create pressure on the schools while the department was also late on its part and lacked clarity at various levels. The blocking of MIS portal created obstacles in the process of admission and issuing school- leaving certificates of other students. The schools have been teaching the students under the RTE without even getting the dues of previous years, he said.

Haryana Tribune