With the standoff between the State government and private schools coming to an end following the recent Government Order on reimbursing fees to schools, the Right to Education Act (RTE Act), 2009, is set to make an impact among the underprivileged children.
The Education Department has conducted a couple of orientation programmes for heads and principals of various private schools on the need to allocate 25 per cent of seats in L.K.G and Class 1 to the poor students.
They were clearly explained about the consequences if they failed to follow the provisions of the RTE Act. They were told that they should not fill the quota through the general admission system that they were being followed by respective schools. The department has identified about 3,300 seats in 325 schools in the Tiruchi district under the RTE Act quota. To facilitate the poor and marginalised children getting admission in non-minority self-financing private schools, it has started collecting applications from the interested parents.
The Chief Educational Officer, N. Anandi, told The Hindu on Wednesday that the government was keen on passing the benefits of the RTE Act. It had achieved 87 per cent result on filling seats under the RTE quota. All out efforts were made to fill all seats this year.
Stating that the department had received good response from the parents this year, she said the last date for submission of applications for admission under the RTE Act had been extended up to June 15.
Besides submitting the applications at the education offices, they could submit in the respective schools. If applications crossed the actual number of seats, random system would be followed to select students.
She added that circulars had been sent to all schools on the need for strictly following the provisions of RTE Act. Schools should not give room for subverting the Act.
3,300 seats declared under RTE in Tiruchi district
Last date to apply for RTE admission
is June 15
