RTE draws flak; state fails to reimburse waived fees

The Right to Education is a very important piece of legislation but states across the country have not been serious about implementing it. In Telangana, it continues to suffer because the government has not reimbursed schools and the unpaid bills keep mounting.

The RTE Act stipulates that 25% of seats are to be reserved for students from economically weaker sections of society even in private and unaided schools. Education is to be given free to students from grade 1 till the age of 14. However, the implementation of the Act in Telangana has been unsatisfactory. The state has to reimburse the schools, but as usual, it is in arrears and private schools will not accept applications from underprivileged students until the bills are paid.

The district education officer (DFO) of Warangal says, “Unless the government comes up with ways to reimburse the fees that will be waived for backward class students, schools have stated that they cannot follow RTE.”

Anitha Suresh, a teacher, says, “The reservation policy for SC/ST students and other backward classes is already about 22 per cent. Schools cannot afford another 25 per cent under RTE unless the government funds the scheme, or else we have to cross subsidise the amount with day scholars but that is unfair as it will lead to a high fee structure.”

Umi Daniel, an educationist, says the scheme is not being implemented pan India apart from a few exceptions. The government should develop a financial arrangement so that the scheme is implemented.”

Private schools will not accept applications from underprivileged students until state pays off the pending arrears.