The private school operators here have made re-examination of some of the students as yet another method of imposing its dictatorial attitude and making money. In blatant violations of the provisions of Right to Education (RTE), these schools detain some of the ‘below average’ students and ask them to appear for a re-examination. Needless to say these schools charge money for this examination also.
The complaints counter at the office of District Education Officer (DEO) Primary, is getting plenty of complaints against the private schools. Some of the complainants alleged these schools for forcing the reexamination of their wards. Acting on these complaints the Chief Education Officer (CEO) SP Khali raided three schools of the city on Wednesday and asked them to immediately stop these examinations and refund the fee they had charged for the re-examinations.
The CEO told The Pioneer that as per the provisions of RTE the schools can not fail any class I-Class VIII student so there is no question of taking the re-examination. He said that the department would strictly enforce the provisions of the RTE and would initiate action against the erring schools. Khali said that as per the RTE the schools can not take donations, capitation fees, and TC fees. The schools can not take the admission entrance examinations for the students of class I-class VIII and can not fail these candidates also. He said that the department has sent show cause notice to all the schools against whom the complaints have been received.
The President of the Uttarakhand Parents’ Association, Neeraj Singhal, told The Pioneer that the aim of the schools authorities to take the re-examinations is to enforce their authority and make money. He said that the schools summon the parents of the week students and humiliate them. The schools promote these students only after much pleading and cajoling.