Aadhaar-linked application process for RTE seats begins tomorrow

 The application process for seats in private unaided schools under the Right to Education (RTE) Act will begin on Wednesday.

Applications can be submitted on the website of the Department of Public Instruction http://www.schooleducation.kar.nic.in from March 1 to 31.

“We will issue a circular regarding the commencement of the application process. This year, the time taken to review applications will be less. It will be completed in two weeks,” said P C Jaffer, state project director for Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan, at a press meet on Monday.

There are 1.3 lakh seats available under RTE for the 2017-18 academic year. Aadhaar-linked application software was tested on a pilot basis earlier this month. The department officials clarified that the issues have now been fixed. About 1,440 applications have already been accepted during the testing period.

“The number of fake applications was increasing year after year. They used to be rejected during the review. Since the applications have now been linked to Aadhaar numbers, this time, the problem will not crop up,” Jaffer said.

In the application, details of the child’s Aadhaar number, name, date of birth, sex and address have to be entered along with the Aadhaar number of either parents. The application will be accepted only if the residential address and pin code of the child’s and parent’s Aadhaar cards match.

Applicants will be able to choose from schools in the ward where they reside and schools in neighbouring wards. However, when seats are allotted through the lottery system, first preference will be given to children in the same ward.

A special provision has been made to submit applications under the ‘other’ category for children of farmers who have committed suicide, HIV positive children, orphans and homeless children.

“We have followed the ward maps of Urban Development Department. Some areas which are not in our maps are there in the Aadhaar maps. If any address-related issues arise due to this, applicants should contact the department immediately. Within a day, these areas will be added to our maps,” Jaffer said.

Applications which were filed and accepted during the test run of the software cannot be submitted again. The department will provide an opportunity to rectify any errors in the information provided.

Applications can be submitted for free at the office of the Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI) and Block Education Officer (BEO). Applications can also be submitted at any BangaloreOne centre, KarnatakaOne centre, Nadakacheri, Atalji Janasnehi Kendras for a fee of Rs 15.