RTE: 25 pc reserved seats not filled up in DK and Udupi

Parents in Bantwal have shown interest to get reserved seats

The Right to Education Act was a revolution and it opened the doors of opportunity to children who otherwise could never hope to join private schools in life.

However, despite reserving 25 per cent seats for children from backward classes, weaker section of the society in private schools, parents have not shown interest in enrolling their wards to private schools in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.

The reserved seats in majority of the private schools are not filled. The total number of availability of seats in Dakshina Kannada was 1,645.

In Mangalore city educational block limits, 287 seats were reserved under RTE Act in 21 schools. However, only 49 applications have been received for enrolling the students, said Block Education Officer (BEO) Dayavathi.

The situation in Mangalore rural educational block too is no different. Only 79 applications have been received in 37 schools, said BEO Rajalakshmi.

In Belthangady taluk, as many as 78 seats were reserved in eight private schools. However, only 16 applications have been received. In Puttur taluk, 218 seats were earmarked in 26 schools. The authorities have received only 72 applications.

In Moodbidri, as many as 107 seats were reserved in 11 schools. However, even 50 per cent of the reserved seats have not been filled so far, said BEO Shekar.

In Sullia taluk, about 55 per cent of the seats have been filled. About 85 seats were earmarked in nine schools, of which, 47 seats have been filled so far. In Rotary School, as many as 21 seats were reserved and all seats have been filled, said BEO Malleshway.

Bantwal is the only taluk where the parents have shown interest in availing the reserved seats in private schools. About 80 per cent of the seats reserved have been filled.

As many as 311 seats were reserved in 33 private schools. Out of which, 249 seats have been filled, said Bantwal BEO Sudhakar. “After implementing RTE Act, we have earmarked seats in private schools. Awareness is also created among the parents.

To avail the seats, the parents will have to produce income and caste certificate, which many parents feel is a burden.” said a BEO. Campaign Against Child Labour co-ordinator Renny D’Souza said “no awareness programmes were organised by the authorities on RTE Act in the district.

Parents were not given information on the availability of seats. The government should increase awareness among the parents on the availability of seats.”

DDPI Moses Jayashekar said “the process of receiving the applications has been concluded. If the government issues any direction on extending the last date for admission, we can extend the deadline.”

RTE in Udupi

Even in Udupi, not many parents have shown interest in availing the free seats in private schools, under RTE Act. As many as 74 private schools in Udupi district were brought under RTE Act and the availability of seats was 1,061.

However, the authorities have received only 501 applications.

Education department official said “many people are not aware of the RTE Act. Many poor parents are not aware of the fact that they will get free seats in private schools.”

Speaking to Deccan Herald, BEO Ashok Kamath said “by the time the rules were ratified, several schools had completed the process of admission.

The parents had enrolled their children to schools in the month of April itself. After enrolling in one school, many do not like to change the school.”

Madhava Kripa School in Manipal has not received a single application. After collecting information on the number of students who enrolled for the schools, the education department will reimburse the fee.

Though district has 118 unaided schools, only 74 schools come under RTE Act. The remaining schools are run by minorities.