Concerns Arise as 53 Schools in Pune District Refuse to Participate in RTE Scheme
As the commencement of admissions under the Right to Education (RTE) Act approaches, Pune grapples with a troubling development. Despite government efforts and impending deadlines, 53 schools in the district have declined to register for RTE admissions, obstructing eligible students from accessing their educational rights.
The State Education Department has been actively involved in addressing this issue, striving to integrate these schools into the RTE admission process before the deadline expires. Initially, schools were provided with a registration deadline; however, many self-financed institutions failed to adhere, citing concerns related to recent amendments in fee reimbursement regulations under the RTE Act.
With over 9.70 lakh seats available for RTE admissions across 75,856 registered schools in the state, the refusal of 53 schools in Pune raises significant concerns. Pune Zilla Parishad education officials have revealed that out of 5,248 eligible schools in the district, 5,195 have completed registration, leaving only a handful unwilling to participate.
Sharad Gosavi, the State Director of Primary Education, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to facilitating RTE admissions, stating that student registration is underway through the NIC platform. Efforts are underway to commence registration promptly, with contingency plans in place to address any potential delays.
Despite the challenges posed by non-cooperative schools, the education department remains dedicated to ensuring that all eligible students can exercise their right to education under the RTE Act, underscoring the importance of inclusive and accessible education for all.
