After a long period of logjam on the issue of fees to be paid for BPl quota students at private schools of the city, the school education department would start paying fees for these kids from October this year so that they can continue their education without any hassle.
Though the private schools had started admitting BPl children in elementary level after the decision was taken by the state government under RTE provision in 2012-13, the decision to reimburse the amount was taken after three years.
“From the month of Oct 2015 the fees will be given to all the private schools as decided by the Government and authorities. The amount `425 per month for each BPl child has been fixed,” said Jayant Kumar Mishra, District Superintendent of Education.
Further mentioning about the facilities which will be provided to the BPl kids apart from the financial assistance Mishra said, “School uniforms and books will be provided free to all BPl children. Aside from this an unanimous decisions was taken that schools will also admit the kids from within the five kilometre of radius as in urban many private schools have been located in the same area within the radius of one kilometre.”
Clarifying his stance on the identification of BPl children Mishra further said that all the 55 ward councilors help the authorities in the survey which further makes the identification process of BPl children easier. However, despite fees and identification of BPl kids issue the school management often face several other challenges too.
“We often get those BPl kids who have crossed the age of studying in elementary level but we have to admit them as per the norms provided under the RTE. Moreover, many BPl children often leave their studies in mid-way as they are not able to cope up with the syllabus,” said the Principal of Oxford Public School, A K Singh.
Similarly, the Principal of Surendranath Secondary School, Samita Sinha added “so far we are managing BPl kids and have admitted 16 kids in our school in this session. As per the notice issued by the District Superintendent of education we admit the BPl kids. As far as their studies are concerned teachers have been instructed to give extra guidance to such candidates.”
Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009 and the rules for Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education-2012 has a provision to admit 25 per cent of the BPl children in private schools.