RTE norms in Maharashtra may be diluted

Updated on: Monday, July 18, 2011

Certain provisions in the Right to Education (RTE) Act could be diluted at the time of its implementation in the state. Senior ministers in the state Cabinet, who are affiliated to private aided schools and educational institutes, have expressed reservations regarding certain clauses incorporated in the Act, which was enacted by the centre in 2009 and has since been implemented in over 12 states.

The state school and sports department put forth a proposal regarding business rules for implementation of the Act in the state. A presentation was made to the Cabinet on the proposed rules. Sources said that while a detailed discussion on the matter was deferred, a section of ministers spoke against some of the provisions.

These ministers expressed apprehension regarding a provision to reserve 25% of seats at the time of admission to grade I for students from economically weaker sections residing in areas near private unaided schools. There has been an opinion that students from such sections would find it difficult to adapt to the culture in private schools in uptown areas.

Reservations were also raised regarding the makeup of the school management committees (SMCs) proposed for state-run and private aided schools. A 75% reservation for parents is proposed in the Act. The SMCs are expected to review the performance and financial accountability of the institutes, among other issues related to the management. While the original act advocated appointment of parents as head and co-chair of the SMCs in state-run and aided respectively (in the case of aided schools, it was later decided to retain management representatives as heads of SMCs), some ministers have raised objections regarding this too.

Sources, however, said that these provisions formed the crux of the Act, which endorsed free and compulsory education for all children in the 6-14 age group.

The proposed rules also endorsed the extension of elementary education up to the Std VIII as RTE advocates right to education up to that grade. Primary education in the state is from Std I to VII. According to sources, there are certain reservations regarding this too.

The opposition has come despite objections from private aided school managements being considered while drafting the business rules. Sources said that a demand has now been raised for a special Cabinet meeting to discuss RTE in depth.

RTE norms in Maharashtra may be diluted

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