Schools unclear over RTE reservations

With the Right to Education (RTE) Act all poised for implementation from April 1 onwards, there is immense confusion as far as the schools across India are concerned. Without clear directives and guidelines form the state government confusion reins as varied responses are pouring in from different schools all choosing to take a different path over the matter.

Once implemented, the RTE will ensure proper education for children from weaker sections of society as well, making their dreams for a better future a reality to quite an extent. The RTE mandates all schools of the nation to implement 25 percent reservation for poor students, during admissions. The reservations are expected to be implemented this coming session onwards.

However, while the RTE ruling is clear; absence of any detailed information has kept the state government from giving out any guidelines or acting instructions to any of the schools; thus, creating more chaos than clarity over the matter.

All schools will be compensated by their respective state governments for admitting poor students. The state governments in turn are looking at the centre to provide the necessary assistance, if not fully, then on a major chunk sharing basis.

Schools on the other hand have already started the admission procedure in the absence of any guidelines over the reservation matter. While many schools are keeping 25 percent seats vacant to be filled as per the guidelines when they come in later, there are others who are going on with the regular admission procedure without bothering to wait for the directives which might trickle in at their own pace.

With admissions for the new session just round the corner and the RTE too ready to be incorporated, it remains to be seen how the government manages the timely and appropriate implementation of these very vital directives.