Chennai: With the simplified online application process, the Directorate of Matriculation Schools has received over 81,000 applications for the 25 per cent seats reserved under the Right to Education (RTE) act in private schools. With still over a week to go to close the RTE applications, officials expect around one lakh applications this year. Last year, RTE admissions were conducted in three phases and 95,858 students admitted under this quota.
As in last year, the highest RTE applications were filed from Madurai district. Totally, 6,100 applications were filed as on Wednesday and it was closely followed by Chennai (5,566) and Vellore (5,129) districts.
As per the act, at least 25 percent of the seats at entry level classes (LKG and class 1) in private schools need to be reserved for children hailing from economically and socially disadvantaged sections. According to officials, around one lakh seats are available under this quota in over 10,000 private schools, excluding CBSE schools in the state. Applications for RTE admissions were made online last year to bring in transparency and simplify the admission process. "It is catching up," said School Education Secretary Pradeep Yadav.
CBSE schools cite several reasons including the early admission schedule for not following the RTE Act. "We have written to CBSE schools, but they have not yet responded. If they don't respond, we are going to initiate action. CBSE schools also supposed to follow the RTE Act," Mr.Pradeep Yadav said.
This year the district education authorities also have taken a lot of initiatives in publicizing RTE admissions.
Tamil Nadu Students Parents Welfare Association president S.Arumainathan said that this year many volunteers and other associations also played a big role in sensitizing parents about RTE admissions. Most private schools welcome RTE admissions as they can fill their vacant seats through RTE admissions. But they want state government to reimburse the fees within the first three months. "Many private schools did not get reimbursement for admitting students under this quota for the last two years. If we get reimbursement in the first three months, it is helpful to run our schools," said N.Vijayan, founder and principal of Zion Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Tambaram.
S.Kannappan, director of matriculation schools said, "RTE applications increased this year due to various efforts taken by the school education department. The details of available seats are displayed in all private schools and banners erected in the CEO and DEO offices." Applications were started on April 20. Parents can apply under the RTE quota until May 18.
