RTE quota reimbursement for private schools soon

The private schools which implemented the 25 per cent quota for socially weaker sections under the Right to Education Act could expect their costs to be reimbursed in two weeks, if claims of the Commissioner, Department of Public Instruction (DPI), Umashankar are to be believed.

An amount of Rs 56.41 crore that was released by the State government is with the DPI, according to the Director, Primary Education, Dev Prakash. This is 50 per cent of the total amount of around Rs 100 crore from the State to enforce the RTE provisions. The other 50 per cent will be released soon, according to the official. A majority of states and the Union government have agreed to share the cost in 65:35 ratio.

“The amount has already been deposited in the account of the department. The schools concerned will get their due in a matter of two weeks,” Umashankar said.

The total amount of reimbursement fixed for pre-primary students is Rs 5,924 whereas for class 1 students it is Rs 11,848 per year. Schools which have completed all the formalities are eligible for reimbursement.

Commenting on the delay in releasing the funds, the Commissioner said: “The procedure was not there and the options were not ready. Many schools have not yet submitted their details yet,” he said. The first instalment was supposed to have been released early September and the second part in January.

According to the procedures laid down by the Department of Public Instruction, the block education officers will  have  to  get  an application from schools with regard to  reimbursement and they will be responsible for verifying such claims. They will, in turn, submit these claims to the deputy directors of Public Instruction. The schools will have to acknowledge the receipt of payment and give details about its usage.

A DPI circular dated December 18 has directed the commissioners of Dharwad and Gulbarga to immediately release the amount online.