New 1km RTE rule may keep out many students: Activists

Pune: Activists have opposed the Maharashtra govt's new order that restricts admissions under the 25% Right to Education (RTE) quota in private schools to beneficiaries residing within 1km radius of the institution, saying there should be flexibility to include children staying up to a 3km range.RTE activist from Pune Mukund Kirdat said the move will have serious repercussions. He said it wasn't necessary that economically weaker sections (EWS) would be staying close to a private school. Resultantly, a large number of children from such families would not qualify in many schools. Institutions would also lose out since they can't fill the 25% quota with regular students.
Activists emphasised that parents from EWS may not be tech savvy enough to upload all documents during the form-filling process, as is required now, and internet may be a problem in rural areas. Earlier, original document verification was done at designated centres."In the new rule, a house agreement has been made compulsory. In case someone lives in their ancestral house, it will be registered in the name of their parents. People don't make agreements to live in their family house. What will they upload? At least, such points could be explained at facilitation centres for document verification. Now, such forms will get rejected. Additionally, it will be easy for people with means to manipulate the system," said Kirdat.Mumbai-based RTE activist Hemangi Joshi said the RTE Act states it is the govt's responsibility to ensure that students from classes I to V have a school within 1km radius of their residence and within 3km for those from classes VI to VIII. "The govt twists rules according to its convenience. The new 1km rule will become detrimental to the education of children from disadvantaged and weaker sections of society, because there are no schools within a 1km radius in many areas that they stay. What will happen to such students?" said Joshi.Kirdat highlighted the Maharashtra govt notification of March 15, 2013, which said it is the school's responsibility to identify all children belonging to the disadvantaged group and weaker section within 1km and to extend the search to 3km.Meanwhile, president of Independent English Schools Association Jagruti Dharmadhikari said, "The govt owes over Rs3,00,000 crores in pending dues to private schools across Maharashtra for admissions under 25% RTE quota since the Act's implementation. They should clear the dues before introducing any changes. Also, the govt must include one representative from parents, teachers, NGOs and managements, etc, in a committee that makes recommendation to ensure there are no problems after a GR is issued."A Sambhajinagar resident, who is hoping her daughter gets admission in Class I under RTE, said, "The poor don't need schemes like Ladki Bahin. We need quality and affordable education for our kids. There is no school within the 1km radius of my house. Does that mean I will be forced to send my child to a govt school?"Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Valentine's day wishes, messages and quotes !