Activists push for inclusion of private CBSE, ICSE schools under RTE Act in TN

COIMBATORE: Activists have urged the Tamil Nadu govt to extend the Right to Education (RTE) provisions to private CBSE and ICSE institutions in the state.

Activists, led by Marumalarchi Makkal Iyakkam president V Eswaran, have filed a petition in Madras high court to this effect. The court is likely to take up the petition for hearing on April 30.

According to the Right to Education Act of 2009, private schools must allocate 25% of their seats for underprivileged and economically weaker section students. Eswaran has said while central govt-run Kendriya Vidyalaya schools comply with the RTE Act’s stipulation of reserving 25% of seats for underprivileged students, private CBSE and ICSE schools have not been mandated to follow similar guidelines.

In response to inquiries from the high court, the CBSE Board clarified that the implementation of RTE norms in private school's rests solely with state authorities, as the board is primarily responsible for curriculum development and examinations.

Eswaran emphasized the need for the state govt to extend the distance criteria for student enrollment. Currently, Kendriya Vidyalaya schools admit students within a 5km radius in urban areas and 8km in rural areas.

Applications for the Right to Education programme for this academic year is being accepted now, starting April 20. Parents can submit their applications on the website rte.tnschools.gov.in till 5pm on May 18.

If anyone faces difficulties in applying online, they can approach their nearby schools for assistance. Children born between August 1, 2022, and July 31, 2023, are eligible for enrollment in LKG, while those born between August 1, 2019, and July 31, 2020, can enrol in Class I.

Parents can choose up to five private schools that are within one kilometre of their home, which is a key criterion for enrollment. The scrutiny process will take place from April 22 to May 19, and parents will be informed of any required changes in documents via SMS.

Activists hope that the state govt will take necessary steps to implement the RTE in private CBSE and ICSE schools this year.


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