Education Dept seeks explanation from MHRD

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 23

The Education Department has sought clarification from the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) on the issue of Bhavan Vidyalaya, Sector 33, over shifting of students from the economically weaker section (EWS) category to non-EWS after their family income improved.

“Section 12 of the Right to Education (RTE) Act is silent about shifting students to the non-EWS category. Also, maintaining 25 per cent quota is only valid for the entry class. Today again, I have instructed to send a DO letter to the MHRD for clarifying on the matter,” said Rubinderjit Singh Brar, Director School Education (DSE).

Section 12 of the RTE Act deals with extent of school’s responsibility for free and compulsory education.

It says that a school has to admit that at least 25 per cent students belong to the weaker section and disadvantaged group in Class I and provide free and compulsory education to them till the completion of their schooling.

Meanwhile, a committee of the department comprising District Education Officer Rajinder Kaur, Deputy Director, education, Arjun Dev, along with three others, is probing into allegations against Bhavan Vidyalaya, which pertains to whether the school on its own shift the students to the non-EWS category. As per the norms, families having annual income less than Rs 1.5 lakh fall under the EWS category.

The Chandigarh Parents Association had also raised the issue and submitted a complaint before the Education Secretary.

However, the reimbursement of fee by the Education Department in regard of the 25 per cent admitted economically weaker section (EWS) students has been pending for the past four years.

Private schools have started releasing their forms for admission to entry classes with rise in fee between 10 per cent and 12 per cent. But still, there is no word on clearing the fee regulation Act by the Ministry of Home Affairs. “The date of depositing fee is up to February 12. We still have the time. Schools can project any fee hike but once the Act comes into force, the fee hike will be regulated,” said Rubinderjit Singh Brar, Director School Education. The Education Department wants to implement the Punjab Regulation of Fee of Unaided Educational Institutions Act in Chandigarh, which specifies punishment if the fee is raised beyond 8 per cent. The nod from the MHA is awaited.