Bhubaneswar: The Block Education Officer (BEO) sent a show-cause notice to 13 private schools for violation of Right to Education (RTE) Act here Thursday. The notice was sent after several parents gheraoed the BEO office and locked the gates. They unlocked it following an assurance from the BEO. In a letter to private schools, BEO said, “As per allegation of Odisha Parents’ Federation (OPF), you have denied to take admission of the students selected under RTE Paradarshi.
The parents are agitated against your refusal. Hence you are directed to explain regarding denial of admission by April 5.” Earlier, the parents launched a protest in the City alleging that children, who are eligible to receive free education in private schools, are being deprived of the benefit and the schools do not adhere to the guidelines. OPF, in a letter to BEO said, “Some schools are saying they don’t have seats for this year admission in Class I.
In the admission portal, vacant seats were reflected and updated by these schools. Some schools have strongly denied accepting this year RTE applications due to non-payment of last few years RTE students’ fee. We met the Director, Elementary Education of the state yesterday and submitted our grievances to him.” “We request your kind support to initiate an inquiry on the above violation of RTE Act 2009 and Rule 2010 and recommend strong action on it,” the letter said. The guardians pointed out that under the Right to Education Act 2009, privately managed schools are required to reserve 25 per cent of seats i.e. 15 per cent of seats to be reserved for the disadvantaged and the rest 10 per cent is for children belonging to the weaker sections of society as a fundamental right.
ARINDAM GANGULY, OP