Kakinada: The decision of the state government to limit Amma Vodi scheme to government schools only has led to a rise in the enrolment into government and zilla parishad schools by new students.
Private schools, meanwhile, are worried over the situation and the government decision since many of their students have taken transfer certificates to join government schools.
Private school managements have faulted the government's decision saying that the scheme is limited to government and zilla parishad schools only.
They have said that according to the Right to Education Act and also Article 14, such discrimination should not be entertained. Sources said that the education department sent a circular to private school managements stating that they should not claim the Amma Vodi scheme which is limited to government and zilla parishad schools.
AP Private Schools Association secretary Muthukumilli Srivijay said that many of the schools have been giving good education to students charging low fees. They give free education to many of poor students. He said that the government should realise the difference between private and corporate schools. The government can exclude corporate schools from the scheme, he added. He said that the scheme should be applicable to all students belonging to below poverty line, whether they study at a private or government school. With this decision by the government, he said many private schools may be closed which would harm the AP Education system as AP has got good name education system only due to private school education system. He said government schools may not be able to give the quality of education provided by private schools that pay full attention on the student.
Private school managements pointed out that government schools may not be having enough room to accommodate all poor students.
The school managements say they are getting ready to give free education for 25 per cent of poor students, but the government should pay the fees on the lines of spending government school students as per law.
