RTE violations by schools: DEO responds to notice

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, June 20

The state convener of Republic Party of India (Athavale), Satnam Singh Gill, had filed a petition to relook at the accreditation and act against schools violating the norms under the Right to Education (RTE).

We have written to the authorities concerned, including the Punjab State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, under specific directions on RTE in Punjab that were brought in 2011 that any child from economically weaker section seeking admission must be first considered in government school. In case of non-availability of seat, he/she can go to affiliated or aided schools and then private school. Till date, we have been following this and there have been no reported violation received under the RTE. Rajesh Kumar, DEO

The issue raised a few months ago resulted in the DEO ordering inquiry against some private schools allegedly found violating the regulations of filling up quota seats for the EWS. Satnam Singh Gill had also written to the Punjab State Human Rights Commission chairman Justice Iqbal Ahmed Ansari and Punjab State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights, alleging discrepancies in DEO’s (Elementary) inquiry into the matter. Now, Gill said the State Human Rights Commission has directed the Director General of Schools Education, Punjab, to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and conduct an impartial inquiry. The DGSE has also issued notice to DEO, Amritsar, in this regard.

In response to the DGSE, Punjab, the District Education Officer (Elementary) had replied to the questions raised by the petitioner.

“We have written to the authorities concerned, including the Punjab State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, under specific directions on RTE in Punjab that were brought in 2011 that any child from economically weaker section seeking admission must be first considered in government school. In case of non-availability of seat, he/she can go to affiliated or aided schools and then private school. Till date, we have been following this and there have been no reported violation or complaints received under the RTE. We have responded to all authorities concerned in this regard. In any case, DEO (secondary) is the nodal authority with regards to any complaint received under Fee Regulation Act or RTE Act,” said Rajesh Kumar, DEO.

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