Coastal districts' poor show in RTE

Awareness being created through street plays in Mangaluru

Though it is proved a success in the State, lukewarm response continues in the coastal districts to online application submission system for 25 per cent reserved seats in unaided schools under Right of Education Act.

Officials are concerned as both the districts are lagging behind compared to many others and last date for application submission (Feb 19) is round the corner. In between, efforts are on to create awareness about RTE Act through various methods. 

As per information, till February 10, around 1,55,220 applications were submitted for reserved seats including 78,863 applications to pre-primary (LKG) and 76,357 to Class one. After 21 days, Bengaluru North is still at top with 30,423 applications, followed by Bengaluru South (28,247), Ballari (8,098), Mysuru (7,138), Bengaluru rural (7,100), Dharwad (5,219), Kolar (4,555), Davangere (4,519), Chikkaballapur (4,418) and Bagalkot (3,992).

Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, respectively with just 1,298 and 2,089 (only 53 applications for Class one) applications, didn’t find place in top ten successful districts.
Department officials claim technical hurdles for application submission process have been sorted out and no complaints have been received from public.  Few have expressed unhappiness about the new neighbourhood school concept, as in urban areas, parents may not be able to opt the nearest school if it is belonged to separate ward. Good numbers of applications have been submitted in urban areas, which have more unaided schools.

Dakshina Kannada Deputy Director of Public instruction Walter D’ Mellow opined that as the online system is introduced for the first time, the number of applications may increase at the end.

There is no lack of awareness among people as information is being provided through information centres. On chances of extending the last date, he said that the government would take appropriate decision if there is any need, he told Deccan Herald.

Madhyastha expressed doubt about the chances of date extension, as no complaint has been received from public till date. In between, efforts are going on to increase awareness among people about RTE Act.

Mangaluru South Block Resource Centre (BRC) had conducted street plays in various places of Mangaluru including in front of DC office, Kadri Market, Kankanady bus stand, Mangala Devi, Tokkottu and Kuttar junction.