NCPCR questions screening tests in schools

BHUBANESWAR: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has asked the State Government to investigate allegations that schools in Orissa continue to conduct screening tests for admission and let out their premises for accommodation of security personnel much in violation of the Right to Free and Compulsory Education of Children Act (RFCECA).Taking cognizance of the NCPCR report, the School and Mass Education Department has been asked to probe the allegations and submit an action taken report so that the national body can be kept in loop about the outcome.NCPCR member-secretary Love Sharma, in a recent letter to Chief Secretary BK Patnaik, stated that the Council was informed about screening tests being done for admission into schools run by the SC and ST Development Department.According to reports, entrance test was conducted for admission into Ekalabya Schools in 11 districts of the State and it is a violation of RFCEC Act which stipulates that no school or person shall, while admitting a child, collect any capitation fee and subject the child to any screening procedures. Not only this, a 2010 circular of the Department itself states that any school or person who subjects a child to screening will be penalised ` 25,000 for the first offence and ` 50,000 for the every next violation. The NCPCR requested the Government to investigate the allegations and submit a factual report at the earliest.Besides, the national body also drew attention of the Government to the fact that school premises are being misused. It is alleged that they are being utilised to house security forces in the conflict areas. This has led to a situation wherein students are not only deprived of education but also get exposed to violence. No school should be used for such purposes, it said.The NCPCR also asked the Government to look into the problems of migration which is taking a toll on the children. About 20 lakh people migrate in quest of work to outside states. Out of them, 30 per cent are children who work in exploitative conditions while migrating with their families and are subjected to inhuman conditions.