The Government said it will hold consultations with states to evolve a policy on how to give relaxation to “marginalised” schools that may close down, in view of tough registration conditions under a new law.
HRD Minister Kapil Sibal told a press conference that there are a number of issues on which consultations are required with the states for implementing the Right To Education Act.
The Act says that “no school, other than a school established, owned or controlled by appropriate government or the local authority, shall, after the commencement of this Act, be established or function, without obtaining a certificate of recognition from such authority, by making an application in form and manner, as may be prescribed.”
It provides for a number of conditions like an all-weather building and playground facilities to make a school eligible for registration.
The Act is, however, silent on fee structure and teachers’ pay.
However, states like Delhi have separate laws, which say that registration would be given to those schools which would implement government pay scale for teachers.
Under these circumstances, certain schools, whose economic condition is not good but who impart quality education, may be closed down.
“Schools should not be closed because of their poor economic conditions,” Sibal said.
Sibal said that the state’s law will be applicable in those issues on which the RTE is silent.
While the central law is silent on teachers’ pay, the Delhi School Education Act, 1973, stipulates that remuneration of teachers in private schools cannot be less than their counterparts in government schools.
This may further affect the condition of a number of “marginalised” school which offer quality education.
“The marginalised schools will not be marginalised further,” Sibal clarified.
Sibal will meet Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Monday on the issue.
The provision in the Act regarding 25 per cent reservation of seats for poor students in private schools may not be implemented from this year since the admission season is almost over, he said.
“The states do not have data on how many students are eligible for admission into schools. This provision may be implemented from next year,” he said.
Sibal said no school can charge capitation fee from students, and added that the government is opposed to commercialisation of education.
If the state laws are in conflict with RTE, the states will be asked to bring them at par with the central Act, Sibal said.
