The Federation of Schools Association of Maharashtra, an umbrella body of 16 school associations from the State, on Thursday called for a State-wide ‘school bandh’ on Monday to protest against the State government for not meeting its demands. The protesters have also threatened to take to the streets if their demands are not heeded by then.
The main demand of the federation is reimbursing schools for the fees of students admitted under the Right to Education (RTE) Act. It has also asked the government to blacklist parents who unnecessarily delay fee payments.
The move has also been supported by parent-teacher associations and school bus associations.
No response to letter
According to members of the federation, they had written to the government about their demands on January 24, but there has been no response.
“The RTE came into effect in 2012. It’s been seven years now since RTE students are being sent to private schools approved by the government. However, when the reimbursement is to be given, they ask schools for documents to delay the transactions. What is the point in doing that when they select the schools themselves?” Rajendra Singh, working president, Independent English Schools Association of Maharashtra, said.
According to the federation, as many as 4,439 schools in the State — 250 in Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan and Dombivali — will remain shut on Monday.
“There is a 25% reservation in all private schools for the people belonging to economically weaker sections of society. Their admission is done by lottery and online system. The government has to reimburse ₹17,650 as the fee for every student admitted every year under RTE. While some schools have not received the money, some have, while others have even been paid more than what they are due,” Bharat Malik of the National Independent Schools Alliance said.
Other demands
Mr. Singh said there are some parents who can easily pay fees but delay doing so. “When confronted, they threaten school authorities under various pretexts. We want such non-RTE parents to be blacklisted,” he said.
The federation is also demanding a School Protection Act to safeguard school employees and students. It wants the government to take responsibility under the RTE Act to provide free books, bags, uniforms and stationery materials to those in need, and has also sought withdrawal of harsh procedures in school inspections.
The federation is trying to set up meetings with the commissioner of education and principal secretary for education on Monday.
