Chennai: Even as apprehensions are being raised about the high number of admissions under Right to Education (RTE) Act, more than 89,000 students have been admitted to private schools under the law this year.
The fee for the students admitted under this quota will be reimbursed by government. As per the law, at least 25 per cent of seats at entry level classes (LKG and class one) in private schools need to be reserved for children hailing from economically and socially disadvantaged sections.
As per school education department statistics, 94,811 students have been admitted under this quota last year. Teachers said the high number of admissions under RTE Act and reimbursement to private schools have already started affecting enrollment in government schools.
“The government itself admitting students in private schools and reimbursing are to be viewed as acceptance on the part of the government in providing quality education,” said R.Doss, general secretary, Tamizhaga Primary Teachers Association.
“Instead of reimbursing the fee to private schools, the State government should create good infrastructure in government schools,” he said. The government had allocated '97 crore for admissions done in 2013-14 and 2014-15.
The district education authorities had verified before reimbursing the fee. They sought a declaration from the parents and schools that they had not paid or received the fee for the student.
“The government is yet to pay Rs 3 crore to private schools. For last year’s admission, the government has to reimburse Rs 130 crore,” said K.R. Nandakumar, general secretary, Tamil Nadu Nursery, Primary, Matriculation and Higher Secondary Schools Association.
“The government had compelled us to admit students under the 25 per cent quota. This year also we had admitted more than one lakh students under RTE. But the government after verification accepted only 89,000 admissions as RTE admissions,” he said.
“RTE admissions can be done until November. So, the number of admissions might witness a slight increase,” he added. “If the government has not established or able to provide a school, there is the compulsion for
students to go to private schools. But, why should government admit the students in private schools if government schools are available in the area?” asked P.B.Prince Gajendrababu, general secretary, State Platform for Common School System.
“Government can create better infrastructure facilities with '97 crore. It should ensure all facilities in government primary schools instead of reimbursing the money,” he said.
