Another school in RTE trouble

Desh Seva Samiti, a not-for-profit organisation, filed a complaint with the state education department on Tuesday against MTS Khalsa High School, Goregaon, for allegedly rejecting applications for the 25% quota of economically weaker sections under the Right to Education (RTE) Act.

Desh Seva Samiti, a not-for-profit organisation, filed a complaint with the state education department on Tuesday against MTS Khalsa High School, Goregaon, for allegedly rejecting applications for the 25% quota of economically weaker sections under the Right to Education (RTE) Act.

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“MTS Khalsa High School claimed their admissions were complete and they could not take more students,” said Avisha Kulkarni from Desh Seva Samiti. “Since all private unaided schools have been asked to take applications of poor students under the 25% quota, I sent a mail to the education department about this,” she added.

The organisation had submitted applications of 11 students from economically weaker sections to the school on Monday. “I got a written acknowledgement that it had received the applications, and was told a meeting would be held on Tuesday to discuss their admissions. On Tuesday, they said their seats were full,” added Kulkarni.

“We have received the complaint from Desh Seva Samiti,” said Sanjay Deshmukh, secretary, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, the body overseeing the implementation of the Act. “I have forwarded the complaint to the concerned authorities,” he added.

“Admissions were completed in April, and it will not be possible for us to take any more students,” said PS Nanda, trustee, MTS Khalsa High School. “We haven’t received any circular or instruction from the government on this issue,” he added.

“After the resolution was notified, we advertised about the Act in several newspapers,” said Deshmukh. “The school cannot use lack of instructions from the government as an excuse,” he said.