CHENNAI: Even after two weeks of opening the online applications for the seats reserved under Right to Education (RTE) Act, the school education department has received only about 14,000 applications till Thursday.
Given that the private schools showed nearly one lakh RTE admissions last year, the fewer online applications have puzzled the officials.
As per the Act, at least 25 per cent of the seats at entry level classes (LKG and class 1) in private schools need to be reserved for children who are hailing from economically and socially disadvantaged sections.
There are 1.26 lakh seats available under this quota this year. In an effort to bring transparency in RTE admissions, the department had initiated online applications this year. It also released the number of seats available in each school under this quota. Parents can apply through www.dge.tn.gov.in by May 18.
So far the Chennai district has received the maximum applications of 1,581 closely followed by Madurai with 1,256 applications. Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram have received 893 and 703 applications.
“Though we have received more than 10,000 applications under economically weaker section category, the socially disadvantaged category has received only 3,129 applications so far, which is very low,” officials said.
Priority section which includes orphans, kids of scavengers and HIV-affected have received 109 applications.
Admissions for this section of students would be given priority in the RTE admissions.
“For socially disadvantaged sections there is no salary cap. Apart from other category students, all the students are eligible to apply and get the seat under this category,” they said.
On a positive note, the highest number of applications (1,668) was received on Wednesday. The trend continued on Thursday as 876 applications were received till 2 p.m.
“The online application for RTE admissions is a welcome move. Now, the private schools cannot fudge the documents as the application process has become transparent,” said N Umapathy, founder, Slum Children Sports Talent and Education Development Society.
“The department also needs to prevent the private schools from collecting money from the poor students admitted under RTE in the name of special coaching and book fees,” he urged. The state government is reimbursing the tuition fee to the schools.
Applications received
Chennai: 1581
Madurai: 1256
Tiruvallur: 893
Vellore: 734
Salem: 728
Cuddalore: 712
Kancheepuram: 703
Coimbatore: 645
Tiruvannamalai: 641
Krishnagiri: 599
