Right to Education Act requires private schools to set aside 25 per cent free seats for students from economically weaker sections (EWS) which is a good initiative feel all educationists. But with it comes with certain challenges which the private schools and students face.
All private schools have to admit 25 per cent children from weaker sections and underprivileged groups within two kilometers of the school in class I or the lowest class in school, says the RTE.About the initiative undertaken, Swami Sharad Puri, the founder of Shivdale School said, “Government has created good opportunity for children from weaker sections. Education is birthright of every child but unless it becomes a collective responsibility, the aim gets diluted and far fetched. There should be equal distribution of students in all schools but many times education authorities send hordes of applications to us unaided schools, which is simply impossible to handle.”
Govind Jaiswal, district education officer, secondary education, reasons that 25 per cent quota is of the strength of the school in the lowest class. “If the applications received for the school are more as is usually the case, we draw lots and send forth to private schools under categories of 2E and 2D. 2E is for economically weaker sections and 2D for scheduled caste, scheduled tribes and others.
When asked about it, Delhi Public School, Ranipur, principal KC Pandey said, "Since 2012 we have admitted 120 poor students under RTE Act. Last year there were nine student applications which we had received and eight of them were accepted. Only one application was rejected of a student who was from Bhimgoda area which is about five kilometres from our school while the rule says that the school has to admit the student living in vicinity of one or two kilometres only.”
Speaking on the challenges which the schools face while admitting students from poor background, Pandey added that initially when they come to school, most of them are used to speaking rough language. Another challenge is that their parents do not turn up after the child is admitted. "We have to put in lot of efforts to bring parents and discuss with them the progress of the child.
However one positive aspect is that generally these students are good in sports as they hardly get fast food and thrive on basic meal full of vegetables and cereals which makes them physically fit and active as compared to this pizza burger generation of urban class."
There is no provision for poor children who are struck by misfortune sometimes during middle class education which is another challenge. Ghanshyam Chawla, resident of Tibdi Basti and student of class VII with 75 per cent marks had to run from pillar to post for his admission to class VIII when his father, a labourer died a month ago.
With no earning member in family, all private schools offered 50 per cent discount but even that amount of fees was difficult for him to pay. The student was forced to move to state board from ICSE for want of funds since there is no provision under the Act for admission at middle level.
