Attempt to unite schools against quota clause

The Unaided Schools’ Forum is attempting to bring 153 of its member schools together against the 25% reservation in schools for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The Unaided Schools’ Forum is attempting to bring 153 of its member schools together against the 25% reservation in schools for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

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The clause, which is a part of the Right To Education Act, has been challenged in the Supreme Court by a school forum in Jaipur.

The Unaided Schools’ Forum is considering becoming party to the case because the forum feels that only schools have the right to decide whom to admit.

The forum has sent a circular to schools asking for their opinions on clauses in the act, such as the feasibility of free education and the 25% reservation and compensation for reserved students.

While the forum’s spokesperson denied having sent such a circular, member schools said they have received it.
“A few weeks ago, we received a feedback form from the forum asking us to send our suggestions on the act before October 20,” said a principal whose school is a member of the forum. “These will then be forwarded to the advocates, to enable them to move the Supreme Court. The circular said ‘it was in our interest to become an intervening party’.”

The spokesperson said, “We are waiting for the Supreme Court to decide on the matter.”

The act, which came into force on April 1, mandates no child can be failed or expelled and schools will not be able to conduct screening procedures to admit students. “We are yet to give our suggestions. The 25% clause is one of the concerns that schools have,” said another principal.

Only a few member schools have replied with suggestions, prompting the forum to send another email asking members to reply or face the consequences based on the court’s verdict.

Unaided schoolteachers air grievances

At a meeting organised by non-profit group, the Forum For Fairness in Education, on Thursday, around 70 teachers aired their grievances. Some said schools were not paying them in salaries in line with the 6th pay commission, while others complained that they had not received their arrears or pension after retirement. If the managements are unresponsive, teachers plan to approach the Forum for help. “If they come to us with the matter still unresolved we will take it up with the government officials,” said Anuj Kumar Pandey, a member of the Forum.