Loyola first to admit all 25% BPL students

Updated on: Saturday, April 14, 2012

Even while several private English-medium schools are complaining about the RTE Act rule of keeping 25% seats reserved for BPL children, Loyola School has set a precedent by filling up over 90% of the BPL seats in the academic year 2012-13.

The school has filled 46 out of 50 seats reserved for the government mandated economically poor children at the entry level (UKG). "Of the 200 seats, 25% (50 seats) were reserved for BPL students and we filled up these seats," said Loyola School principal, Father Victor Misquith.

There are several private unaided English medium schools in the city which have been complaining about not being able to identify genuine BPL candidates. However, a few schools welcomed the apex court's decision and said 34 odd English medium schools are working effectively to reach out to the underprivileged sections of society.

"Keeping the monetary angle in mind, several schools are unwilling to share 25% seats with BPL students, thus violating the Supreme Court judgment," said the convener of Jamshedpur Parents' Association, Umesh Kumar. "Although there are a few technical dilemmas in identifying genuine BPL candidates, we are hopeful the reserved seats will be filled up in due course," said a senior functionary of the association.

When approached, the additional district programme officer of RTE cell, Prakash Kumar, said, "The judgment delivered by the Supreme Court on Thursday has only reaffirmed the country's effort to ensure right to education to each and every child."

He also said the apex court's judgment will play a critical role in motivating the schools to deliver quality education to economically deprived children.

The district education department has asked schools to ensure admission of BPL candidates within six months with effect from March 2012.

Loyola first to admit all 25% BPL students

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