Ranchi: A survey conducted by the Association for Parivartan Bangsa (APNA), an NGO, has revealed that children from poor families in Ranchi face many obstacles when they enter the class entry class in local private schools under the right to education (RTE) Act.
As a result, when students cannot enter private schools, a large number of seats in the latter remain empty.
Section 12 (1) (c) RTE ACT states that 25% of seats in private and non-minority schools must be provided for poor children who live around it.
Apna, who conducted a survey of 54 families living in Ranchi slums, claimed that the acceptance process under RTE was opaque, discriminatory and had other deviations.
It stated, “About 80% of the family said that they had to visit school twice or more to ask the results of their application.
After losing a few working days, most families found that their application was rejected.” This adds that it is in accordance with the education district supervisor, Ranchi, under the right to information, 89% of the application was rejected in 2019-20 even as 74% of the chairs remained empty at school.
Sarvesh Vardhan from Ravidas Colony filled out the application form in three schools but was rejected by them all.
In addition, parents were not informed about the reason for rejection and they also did not provide a second chance to fill in the application, the survey was stated.
The report states that a very short duration to fill out the application form creates undue pressure in parents to get a certificate and document as soon as possible.
During the interaction of parents stated that they also felt discriminated on as often as they were kept outside the school campus during the reception process.
About 53% percent of parents say that school staff are non-cooperative or rude.
Organizations have recommended an increase in income limit for more economically weaker parts, increasing the entry time of up to three months and the appointment of complaints recovery officers in this matter.
The acceptance process under the opaque RTE, discriminatory: survey
