No two ways over RTE, Zilla Parishad tells St Mary's

Zilla Parishad Education officer (Primary) Sunil Kurhade has sent a letter with directions to St Mary's school asking it to make available 25 per cent seats for economically weaker section of students under Right To Education (RTE) act. u00a0Even though the school is maintaining a stand that as a minority un-aided school and does not come under the ambit of RTE, the education officer has refuted the stand with detailed explanations.

At odds: The education officer of the zilla parishad has told school authorities to make available 25 per cent of their seats for poor students. Pic/Krunal Gosavi

"The school is utilizing 7.63 acres of central government's land as an old grant property. According to RTE as the school is using government's land, it is obligatory on the school to reserve 25 per cent seats for poor students. The law even clears if any school is getting any government benefit like land, building, equipment or other facilities, free of cost or at lesser rates, such schools shall not be entitled for reimbursement," the letter reads. When contacted Kurhade said, "We have sent the letter to the school last week but till now we have not received any reply from school authorities."

Asked what will be the further course of action he cleared, "It will depend on their reply. In any case the school has to implement RTE." u00a0Youth activist Nilesh Borate said the recent development is very good. "The ZP has already given a chance to the school to make its stand. After hearing the arguments raised by school in a recent notice ZP officials refuted all points put by school by giving rational explanations. Now, the school doesn't have a choice but to implement RTE," informed Borate. After repetitive attempts also the school authority remained unavailable for comment.u00a0