Maharashtra Government is likely to introduce major changes in the process of admissions to schools under the Right to Education Act (RTE). According to reliable sources, the Government Resolution in this regard will be released soon. This might be the reason for the delay in declaration of start of process for the admissions to be done under the RTE Act for the academic year 2024-25. Normally, the process begins in January every year, the sources added. The amount to the tune of over Rs 1,000 crore is yet to paid to schools by the Government for admissions done under the RTE Act during last over four years. Citing the reason of financial crunch, the Government is not releasing the amount to the schools against fees of the students admitted under the RTE. Due to non-payment of dues, most small schools are on the verge of closure.

 

While private schools are facing non-payment of dues, the Government schools are finding no takers though they have teachers in good number. Every year, school organisations threaten Government of not admitting students under the RTE if the dues are not paid. No step was taken by the subsequent Governments to find a solution to this problem. “Considering all these aspects, we suggested Government to change the process. It can be conducted in three phases. In first phase, admissions be done in schools run by Zilla Parishad and Municipal Corporation. If students don’t get admission to such schools, then aided Marathi and aided English schools be asked to keet 25% seats vacant for admissions under the RTE.

 

In third phase, if students don’t get admissions in any of the schools, they can be accommodated in private unaided Marathi and English schools,” opined Dr Sanjay Tayade Patil, Founder President of Maharashtra English School Trustees Association (MESTA) while talking to ‘The Hitavada’ over phone. A proposal was submitted to Education Minister who assured that it would be implemented in Maharashtra, he added. Dr Tayade Patil said that such practice was adopted by Punjab and Karnataka governments successfully. Kerala, too, has implemented it, he added.