Schools hit back at BMC over RTE

School managements are outraged by the education department’s claim that majority of admissions under the 25% Right to Education quota are “bogus”. Schools allege that education officers of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) have been harassing them by seeking admissions for children recommended by them under the guise of the RTE.

School managements are outraged by the education department’s claim that majority of admissions under the 25% Right to Education quota are “bogus”. Schools allege that education officers of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) have been harassing them by seeking admissions for children recommended by them under the guise of the RTE.

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Amol Dhamdhere, honorary secretary of the Indian Education Society Group of Institutions, said, “The officers keep forcing us to build ramps and kitchen sheds, even though such rules apply only to schools in rural areas. This year, we still have no clear government instructions on managing RTE admissions.”

Dhamdhere, convenor of Maharashtra Rajya Shiksha Hakka Kruti Samiti, has written to the government on this issue. “Even if we keep aside 25% seats, there is no guarantee the government will reimburse us. It has announced it will give funds only twice a year. How will aided schools that have not received non-salary grants since 2004 pay teachers? We want the government to give monthly funds to meet such expenses,” he said.

The Unaided Schools Forum (USF), which raised the matter with the civic commissioner and the state education department, has also written to school education minister Rajendra Darda that corrupt civic officers are seeking seats for students recommended by them.

Schools said the BMC is in charge of implementing this act in primary sections in state board schools, not in non-SSC schools. “Despite this, many non-SSC schools have brought to our notice that civic inspectors are harassing them and giving instructions that all non-SSC schools come under their jurisdiction,” said SC Kedia, secretary of USF.