Students deprived of books and uniforms under RTE Act
Around 100 parents thronged the civic education department at Hindu Colony, Dadar on Wednesday, complaining of being deprived of their basic rights. Students who have been admitted through the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, have not received uniforms, books, stationery and other basic facilities after three months of the schools beginning to function.
Parents claim that the state government has still not provided basic facilities even though the academic year began in June. In addition, these students are attending school wearing regular clothes while all the other students wear the school uniforms. These students are without books and school bags and are thus compelled to adjust with other students.
This deprivation of basic facilities has led to a feeling of awkwardness among students. Ismail Shaikh, a parent, said, “Our children feel ashamed and out of place when they see their friends wearing uniforms which they don't have. Our children feel different and left out though being a part of the same classroom and this may have an adverse effect on their minds at an early age.”
As per the RTE Act, private schools have to reserve 25 per cent of its seats in Class 1 for children from ‘disadvantaged groups’ and ‘weaker sections’. “We have low financial income which is why we apply for admissions under the RTE Act. It is the duty of the government to provide these facilities,” a parent added.
The schools have claimed that the funds for providing these facilities have not been provided by the state government.
The civic body conducted a hearing with all the parents to cater to their concerns. A senior civic education officer said, “The schools have been told to provide the facilities to the students and then the cost would be reimbursed by the government.”