RTE: Parents object pvt school selection through lottery in Sullia

86 quota seats available in Sullia

Some of the parents in Sullia have severly objected the process adopted by private school managements in selecting eligible students for filling the 25 per cent reservation quota under the Right to Education Act.

As many as 86 reservation seats are available in various private schools in Sullia taluk and many seats were not filled in the last academic year. But, due to wide publicity for RTE, the education department and schools received a large number of applications this time. Therefore, the schools resorted to selection of seats by picking lotteries. 

After the distribution of said number of seats to students belonging to scheduled caste and scheduled tribe, the remaining seats are supposed to be distributed to children in the neighbourhood and those belonging to economically weaker section of society. 

But, a parent Balakrishna has complained to the MLA and taluk panchayat president alleging that those belonging to higher income groups have got seats for their children through RTE, by producing fake income certificates.

“A parent who owns a high end car, has come to the school in his vehicle and has submitted application under the RTE, whose children have got seats in the school. Son of a college professor too has been selected by picking lottery. But, my son has not been selected, despite he coming from a below poverty line family,” Balakrishna told Deccan Herald.

When contacted, Block Education Officer Malleswami said that selection process of eligible students takes place in respective schools as per the government rules. 

The government has issued an order to select student through lottery if the applications seeking admission is more than the number of available seats. Chits are picked in the presence of parents. The education department considers income certificate which is given by the revenue department. Complaints will be inquired  if provided with proper documents, he said.