The process of admission for the academic year 2014-15 under the Right to Education (RTE) Act started just recently but private schools are already complaining that applicants are submitting “fake” income certificates to secure seats. 

Shashi Kumar, the secretary of Karnataka State Private Unaided Schools Management Association, said that out of 200 forms they had issued, only 40 had been returned. 

“The income certificates enclosed with these forms mention the parents’ annual incomes as being Rs 20,000 and even Rs 15,000, which is highly suspicious,” he said on the sidelines of a meeting between private school managements and the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) on various issues of the RTE Act on Monday. 

In response, Mohammed Mohsin, the DPI Commissioner, promised strict action against “fake” certificates, saying the department would issue a circular warning parents against indulging in such practices. 

“If such cases come to light, parents are warned that admission of the students concerned will stand cancelled,” he said. 

The issue of fake certificates was a big headache for the DPI and private schools during admissions last year, with even the Lokayukta ordering a probe into the matter. School associations also highlighted the role of touts who, in the guise of activists and NGOs, were “misleading” parents by claiming that they can get them seats under the Act if they paid money. 

Strict action

Sudi Suresh of the Karnataka State Private School Managements’ Association said, “There have been cases where these touts promised admissions to prestigious schools like the National Public School for Rs 10,000,” he told Deccan Herald. Mohsin said strict action would be taken if any such incident was found to be true. 

The private schools’ association also requested the DPI to raise the fee reimbursed per student under the Act, saying the costs were rising. At present, Rs 11,848 is reimbursed for each Class One student and Rs 5,924 for an LKG student admitted under the 25 per cent RTE quota. 

Revision of fees

“The prescribed fee has been arrived at after considering building costs, maintenance and other factors. Revision of fees will be considered only after all such factors are examined,” said Mohsin. 

The associations also demanded that the last date for admission under the Act be not extended beyond the fixed deadline as it would “affect” the schedule and routine of the schools.