Exemption from RTE to unaided minority schools worries parents

The Supreme Court exempting the unaided minority schools from the provisions of Right to Education Act, 2009, in government aided and unaided non-minority schools, has made affected parents jittery.

The Supreme Court exempting the unaided minority schools from the provisions of Right to Education Act, 2009, which entails 25% reservation for the students belonging to the economically weaker section (EWS) in government aided and unaided non-minority schools, has made affected parents jittery.

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They are afraid that schools will now start charging for their children's education. Preetam Singh, a parent, whose daughter is studying in one of the minority schools, said, "I am afraid that the school will start charging fees now. As these schools have been exempted from the quota what will be the future of students who are admitted under the RTE Act?"

"I am worried and we need assurance from the unaided minority schools that all is well," said Sanjay Goel, a shopkeeper in Sector22. However, the schools are yet to decide the future course of action.

While clearing the air, principal of St John's High School in Sector26 Kavita Das on behalf of her and three other missionary schools, including Sacred Heart Convent School in Sector 26, Carmel Convent School in Sector 9 and St Anne's Convent School in Sector 32, said, "We educate students from underprivileged backgrounds as it is our mission. There are 300 students alone in St John's belonging to EWS, and we have never charged a penny from them and neither will we ever do so."