Pune: The High Court has ordered the implementation of the admission process for 25% reserved seats under the Right to Education (RTE) Act. However, citing reasons such as the need for Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) approval for increased seats and the inclusion of schools on the RTE website without prior consent, some private schools are refusing admissions.
This has created a new obstacle in the already delayed RTE admission process.
Under RTE, 25% of seats in private schools are reserved for students from disadvantaged and economically weaker sections. This year, changes made by the education department to the RTE admission rules caused confusion, resulting in petitions in the court that halted the admission process.
Parents and students were eagerly waiting for the RTE admission process to resume. The High Court has ruled that the changes made by the education department are unconstitutional.
It also ordered private schools to maintain the previously granted admissions and to admit students under RTE. The education department has published the list of eligible students for admissions based on the lottery draw and has set a deadline of July 31 for admissions.
Despite the court's orders, some private schools are still refusing RTE admissions. They have cited reasons such as the need for CBSE approval for additional seats due to full admission capacity, the expiration of the July 15 deadline for such approval, and the inability to provide facilities and teachers for students without prior permission.
They have also mentioned that schools were linked to the RTE admission website without prior notice. These schools have submitted a statement to the education department outlining their concerns.
Meanwhile, parents are becoming anxious as private schools refuse admissions. Dr. Sharad Jawadekar, Executive President of the All India Socialist Teachers' Association, warned that if the education department does not take action against these schools, parents will be forced to protest.
This year, 9,217 schools across the state have made 105,242 seats available for admission. Out of the 242,516 applications received, admissions for 93,009 students have been announced. The waiting list includes 71,276 students.
As of Tuesday (July 30) evening, 30,774 students have confirmed their admissions. Today (July 31) is the last day for admissions, and the process appears to be moving slowly.
Sharad Gosavi, Director of Primary Education told mediapersons, "According to the High Court's order, the admission process is being implemented. Therefore, private schools are mandated to admit students to the 25% reserved seats under RTE. The state government will approve the increased seats, and CBSE will be informed accordingly."
