In a recent development, the education department has issued a stern warning to private schools, emphasising on the imperative of updating and submitting comprehensive details of all students admitted under the Right to Education Act of 2009 (RTE Act). This directive states that only those private educational institutions furnishing the requisite information will be eligible for fee reimbursement during the upcoming second term.
Despite recurrent reminders from the education department, a significant number of private schools within Ahmedabad have reportedly failed to furnish the necessary particulars concerning students enrolled under the RTE Act, reported Times of India. It has come to light that while the first-term fees for approximately 75,000 students in Classes 1-8 have been reimbursed, fees for 15,000 students remain pending. The latter group has not yet received reimbursement due to inadequate attendance, falling below the stipulated 80 per cent threshold for the term.
The Ahmedabad City District Education Officer has explicitly instructed private schools to refrain from directing students and their parents to the District Education Officer’s (DEO) office for inquiries regarding withheld fees. Instead, schools are mandated to display a printout of the data uploaded on the official website concerning RTE students on their notice boards.
This measure is aimed at informing parents that, owing to their children’s insufficient attendance, fee reimbursement has not been processed.
Furthermore, in cases where discrepancies in bank details are identified, schools are urged to facilitate corrections promptly. This proactive approach ensures that any hindrance in the fee reimbursement process is promptly addressed.
The RTE Act mandates all private schools to reserve 25 per cent of their total seats for students belonging to the economically weaker section (EWS) category. As per the rule, the schools are to provide the economically weaker students with all required study materials, which would be later reimbursed by the government.
This initiative aims to promote inclusivity and equal educational opportunities for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Private schools are instructed to adhere to these guidelines to ensure the smooth functioning of the RTE Act and uphold its fundamental principles.
The RTE Act, enacted in 2009, stipulates specific documentation requirements for student admissions under its purview. These include proof of residential address, an Economically Weaker Section (EWS) certificate, an Aadhaar card, an income certificate, age verification, passport-size photographs, contact details, a ration card, and a caste certificate if applicable.
Comments
0 comment