Matriculation schools in the city have been given an early reminder this year about limiting the number of sections to four in each class at the entry-level and proportionately setting aside 25 per cent of seats under the RTE Act, 2009.
In April this year, the school education department drew up a common schedule to conduct admissions under the Act, which mandates that 25 per cent of seats be set aside at the entry-level for children from weaker sections of society and disadvantaged groups in private, unaided, non-minority schools. However, only 39 per cent and 25.9 per cent seats reserved in LKG and class VI respectively under the Act was filled in the State this year.
“We wanted to remind schools well in advance so they can plan their entry-level intake. Through the inspector of matriculation schools, we will be asking schools to furnish details about the number of sections they plan to have based on their infrastructure,” a senior official said.
The circular sent to schools reiterates the ideal student-pupil ratio, the number of students allowed in each section, and the number of seats that must be reserved under RTE based on these norms, the official added.
Matriculation schools also cannot have more than four sections in each class, and need permission from the directorate for a fifth section. For instance, a school with four sections in LKG can take in up to120 students with 30 students in each class. Of the 120, 30 seats will have to be reserved under the Act.
