Activists in Tamil Nadu have urged the state government to extend the provisions of the Right to Education (RTE) Act to private CBSE and ICSE schools. A petition has been filed in the Madras High Court by activists led by Marumalarchi Makkal Iyakkam president V Eswaran. The court is expected to hear the petition on April 30.
Background of the RTE Act
The Right to Education Act of 2009 mandates that private schools reserve 25% of their seats for underprivileged and economically weaker section students. While central government-run Kendriya Vidyalaya schools comply with this stipulation, private CBSE and ICSE schools have not been required to follow similar guidelines.
In response to inquiries from the high court, the CBSE Board clarified that the implementation of RTE norms in private schools rests solely with state authorities, as the board is primarily responsible for curriculum development and examinations.
Key Demands by Activists
Eswaran emphasized the need for the state government to extend the distance criteria for student enrollment. Currently, Kendriya Vidyalaya schools admit students within a 5 km radius in urban areas and 8 km in rural areas. Activists hope that the state government will take necessary steps to implement the RTE in private CBSE and ICSE schools this year.
Application Process for RTE
Applications for the Right to Education programme for this academic year are being accepted from April 20. Parents can submit their applications on the website rte.tnschools.gov.in starting at 5 pm on May 18. If anyone faces difficulties in applying online, they can approach nearby schools for assistance.
Children born between August 1, 2022, and July 31, 2023, are eligible for enrollment in LKG, while those born between August 1, 2019, and July 31, 2020, can enroll in Class I. Parents can choose up to five private schools that are within one kilometer of their home, which is a key criterion for enrollment. The scrutiny process will take place from April 22 to May 19, and parents will be informed of any required changes in documents via SMS.
