RTE Act should not become yet another hoax, says Pune-based activist Javadekar

He demanded allocation of 25 per cent reservation based on caste, income, and other criteria.

Admissions under the Right To Education (RTE) Act, 2009, should not become yet another hoax with affluent families stealing opportunities from the poor,” said Sharad Javadekar, convenor of Akhil Bharatiya Samajwadi Adhyapak Sabha and founder of the RTE action committee, during a press conference held on Tuesday. He was addressing a circular dated May 17 from the state education department, which considered only using the caste certificate for admissions and not the income certificate as well.

The RTE aims to safeguard education opportunities of students from the economically weaker sections of society. (HT Representational photo)

“According to the recent circular, the education department will consider only the caste certificate of the applying parents, and not their income certificate. The RTE aims is to safeguard education opportunities of students from the economically weaker sections of society. This change will open up the the reservation for students from affluent families. We are strongly standing against,” added Javadekar. He instead, demanded for allocation of the 25 per cent reservation, based on caste, income, and other criteria.

“Such a model already exists in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, so introducing it in the state is not an issue. We will be approaching Vipin Sharma, education commissioner to take up this demand,” he said.