After a two-day public hearing on complaints received about violations under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009, the Karnataka State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) has decided to submit a list of recommendations to Minister of State for Primary and Secondary Education Kimmane Ratnakar for effective implementation of the Act.
The recommendations include transparent allocation of seats under RTE quota meant for children belonging to “disadvantaged and weaker” backgrounds.
Members of the commission urged the government to formulate a centralised system for admissions under the RTE quota in private unaided schools.
H.R. Umesh Aradhya, chairperson of the commission, said, “There is a need to ensure that admissions under the RTE quota in private unaided schools are completed by December to help parents figure out alternatives, if necessary.”
After receiving various complaints against private schools increasing fees, KSCPCR has urged the government to introduce a common fee structure for schools based on availability of infrastructure.
Earlier, during the programme, Chandrashekaraiah, a former judge of the Karnataka High Court, who was a part of the jury, released judgments in 32 cases heard during the public hearing earlier this month. He said that the judgments given to them would send a strong message to private schools that were “taking advantage of parents and students ignorance”. The copies of the judgments would be given to the Block Education Officers, Deputy Directors of Public Instruction, school managements and the complainants.
RTE cells in districts
To help children avail themselves of seats in private unaided schools under the RTE quota under Section 12 (1) (c) of the Act, the commission has decided to set up cells in all districts to simplify the admission process in the next academic year, according to Mr. Aradhya.
