Maharashtra: Commissioner of state education defends RTE changes amidst uproar

Amidst criticism surrounding the recent amendment to the RTE Act especially regarding the 25 per cent reservation in private schools for disadvantaged students the state education commissioner has provided a comprehensive explanation regarding the rationale behind the governmentrsquos decision to implement these amendmentsEducation Commissioner Suraj Mandhare told midday that the portrayal of negative opinions concerning governmentaided and partially aided schools is unfounded emphasising that the amendment will significantly impact the future positivelyAll the criticism started pouring in following the latest amendment by the state government that relieved the majority of private unaided schools in the state from the mandatory requirement of allocating 25 per cent of seats for students from economically weaker sections EWS As per these amendments if there is a government or aided school within a onekilometre radius students will be ineligible for admission to private unaided schools under the RTEHowever Mandhare himself and other officials from the state education department suggested that the move will offer more seats and options for disadvantaged students The department also said that the amendments are aimed at helping disadvantaged students get admissions in the schools nearest to themMandhare said ldquoDetailed discussions were conducted on the implementation of the Right to Education Act at the regional level on May 6 2022 in a meeting chaired by principal secretary of School Education It was observed that many government and aided schools despite having good facilities were not included under the provisions of the RTE Act The number of such schools was huge Whereas those private unaided schools under the RTE were less in numbers offering lesser seatsrdquoAs per Mandhare during that meeting it was found that schools private unaided under RTE were paid reimbursed only academic fees by the government as per the regulations thus depriving these students of other facilities available at the schoolsMandhare emphasised ldquoSome parents are adamant about specific schools but with only 8000 schools covered under RTE while the state boasts over one lakh schools many parents struggle to afford the fees for their children especially since RTE compensation only extends up to class VIII The new education policy proposes integrating preprimary sections with primary schools prompting us to explore provisions in other states like Karnataka Haryana and Punjab which have independently framed laws for RTE implementationrdquoldquoFollowing the May 22 meeting and subsequent study of three states a detailed proposal was sent to the government on February 14 2023 This matter has been under governmentlevel discussion for the past two years before the decision for changes was made The statersquos School Education Department formally issued a gazette notification to this effect on February 9rdquo Mandhare clarifiedldquoJustifying the amendments furtherrdquo Mandhare continued ldquothe government through its schools aided and partially aided significantly contributed to the education system Limiting the entire RTE Act to only certain private schools while excluding a substantial number is unjustrdquoAccording to data from the state education commissionerrsquos office nearly 18 lakh students apply for class I seats annually yet only 85000 students are enrolled in RTE 25 per cent reservation schoolsldquoGovernmentrun and aided schools receive substantial funding for teaching and nonteaching grants Why then should these schools fall under the RTE Actrdquo Mandhare questioned ldquoConsidering this scenario and successful patterns observed in other states amendments were maderdquo he addedHowever the exclusion of private unaided schools from admitting economically weaker section students has sparked intense dissatisfaction among parents and activists Many criticise the government claiming that admission to private Englishmedium schools is no longer viable leaving students with no option but district council municipal or aided schoolsAddressing this Mandhare clarified ldquoThis amendment doesnrsquot halt admissions in private schools Private schools without nearby government or aided schools will remain on the RTE admission list and must comply with regulationsrdquoldquoItrsquos noticed that unwarranted negative opinions circulate regarding the quality of governmentaided and partially aided schools Students excel in scholarships and exams after receiving education from these schools Most students across the state successfully complete primary education in governmentrun and aided schools which also strive to deliver education in Englishrdquo Mandhare addedHowever parent groups advocate for inclusion rather than exclusion Arundhati Chavan president of the Parents Teachers Association United forum said ldquoIf the goal is to increase school numbers why exclude private unaided schools The majority will be out of the RTE ambit due to this 1 km rule Schools already flout many RTE rules including mandatory recognition under the act I suggest including all governmentrun aided and private unaided schools If students lack facilities itrsquos the governmentrsquos responsibility to ensure theyrsquore not left behindrdquoMay 6Day in 2022 meeting was held for amendment in the act