Updated on: Thursday, June 14, 2012
The education department on Monday issued notices to schools asking them to admit orphaned children through lottery system for filling 25% seats as per RTE provisions. So far, orphans were deprived of the benefits under Right To Education Act as they were told to bring parents' income certificate and caste certificate as per RTE rules.
The education department further informed the schools that if orphaned children do not get admission through lottery, then they shall be given admission in schools by creating extra seats. They will be given admission on the basis of the affidavits submitted by wardens or superintendents of orphanages or care homes.
Jaipur district education officer SC Meena said: "I issued a letter to all the schools today mentioning that the orphans should not be left out when it comes to Right to Education Act."
The stringent provisions of Right to Education Act, 2010, make it mandatory for all to produce income certificate, caste certificate, BPL card and birth certificate, making it difficult for orphans to get admission. Schools were not admitting them as they want these documents which the orphaned children can never produce.
Following this, principal secretary, social justice and empowerment, Aditi Mehta, had also written to the education department to issue clarification on income certificate for orphans, so that such children will be benefited under RTE without any hurdles.
Now, principal secretary, education issued the letter clarifying it. An official of education department said: "Directions have been issued by the education department that affidavits submitted by wardens and superintendents of such organizations and orphanages regarding age, income and other kind of certificates would stand valid."
Aashraya Care Home superintendent Sushila Morthiya, said, "I am happy as the education department has issued the orders. Earlier, the schools were showing reluctance to admit the orphans as they needed various kinds of certificates. But, now as the education department issued the directions, I think the orphan children at my Aashraya Care Home will be able to go to school from next session beginning from July 1."