Do not admit students before May, Coimbatore's private schools told

The Department of School Education has warned private schools against making admissions now for the next academic year. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, mandates that admissions should be conducted by all private schools uniformly and only in May.

The Department had conducted inspections at several schools during January this year following specific complaints of admissions being done ahead of time.

The officials cancelled admissions in all private schools and postponed the process to May.

Chief Educational Officer A. Gnanagowri told

The Hindu here on Thursday that similar inspections would be conducted this year also and all admissions made before May were “null and void” according to law.

Action would be initiated against schools found violating the rules.

The issue was also raised during a meeting of Principals and Correspondents of private matriculation schools convened in the city last week. The schools were instructed to follow other norms of the RTE Act, the Chief Educational Officer said.

She also told the schools not to hold any kind of screening test for admitting students or demand capitation fees.

They must also not insist on Transfer Certificate during admissions and provide the student with an age-appropriate admission.

This Central legislation mandates private schools to set aside 25 per cent of their total seats reserved for “children belonging to weaker sections and disadvantaged groups” in their locality.

Reimbursement

The students’ fee is to be reimbursed by the Government in September.

This clause must also be stringently followed and the details of admissions under this RTE Act quota must be submitted to the Department, Ms. Gnanagowri said.

Anyone having information on admissions being done at private schools can lodge a complaint at the office of Chief Educational Officer, telephone no: (0422) 2391849 / 2391062.

She also clarified that the Department of School Education can take action only against matriculation schools and not against Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) schools.