JOIN USThe Right to Education Act was a revolution and it opened the doors of opportunity to children who otherwise could never hope to join private schools in life. It aimed at reserving 25 per cent seats for children from backward classes, weaker section of the society in private schools.
About 1,652 seats available in 150 private unaided schools in Dakshina Kannada are open for admission in 2013-14, for children from underprivileged families, under the quota provisions of the Right to Education Act. Last year, about 1,645 seats were available.
The first step towards RTE enrolment began on January 5 with the deputy directors of Public Instruction announcing the availability of seats in schools under their jurisdiction. As per RTE rules, every private unaided school is obliged to keep aside 25 per cent of its seats at the entry level for admission to underprivileged children.
The availability of seats in each educational blocks are as follows: Mangalore North— 34 schools and 460 seats; Mangalore South—27 schools and 284 seats; Bantwal—33 schools and 354 seats, Moodbidri—11 schools and 118 seats; Belthangady—9 schools and 74 seats; Puttur —27 schools and 341 seats and Sullia—9 schools and 21 seats.
In Udupi district, the availability of seats is 1,097 in 72 schools. The availability of seats in each block is as follows: Brahmavar—17 schools and 304 seats; Karkala— 13 schools and 149 seats; Udupi—17 schols and 263 seats; Baindur—11 schools and 165 seats and Kundapur—14 schools and 216 seats.
The implementation of RTE Act was not scuccessful last year in the State. In Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, only 739 (out of the total 1,645 seats) and 430 (out of total 1,070 seats) students are admitted under RTE Act respectively. Now, the RTE application forms will be available at the block education offices till February 5. People can download applications from the website of the Department of Public Instruction (www.schooleducation.kar.nic.in). For queries, call the RTE helpline on 1800-42534567.
Sources said that the RTE Act could not be implemented effectvely because by the time the rules were ratified, several schools had completed the process of admission. The parents had enrolled their children to schools in the month of April iteself. After enrolling in one school, many did not like to change the school.”