Activists seek better utilization of seats reserved under RTE

MUMBAI: As yet another year of admission for the 25% seats reserved under the RTE Act nears, several parents and activists have decided to send a list of demands to school education minister Vinod Tawde.
They said that they are upset over the “unsatisfactory” pace and outcome of efforts made by authorities on this front even three years after the Act has been in place.
“Last year, of 8,300 seats reserved in the city, only over 2,000 students got admission in private unaided schools,” said K Narayan of Anudanit Shiksha Bachao Samiti (ASBS). This group, which includes RTE activists along with over 400 parents, met on Wednesday to discuss and draft a list of demands. A resolution will be submitted to Tawde.
In its draft resolution, the group has demanded that the upper limit of annual income to be eligible for a seat under the quota be increased from the current Rs 1 lakh to Rs 3 lakh.
“There has been a sharp rise in inflation and it is necessary to revise the meagre income limit. The income considered must also be that of the parents and not the entire family as is being done now,” said Sudhir Paranjape of ASBS. “There must also be clarity on which financial year’s income certificate would be valid at the time of admission,” he added.