Admissions under RTE begin in Haryana, private schools seek clarity on reimbursement

Ambala, April 19

Admissions under the RTE for pre-primary and Class I have begun, but private school bodies have again claimed a lack of clarity over the implementation of the RTE and ‘reimbursement’.

Private school operators and associations have asked the Education Department to clarify how much reimbursement the schools will get and ensure that only genuine candidates got admissions.

Earlier this month, the Directorate Elementary Education, Haryana, had issued a schedule and guidelines for the admissions of students belonging to the economically weaker section (EWS) and disadvantaged groups in private schools under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act.

The last date for applying is April 25. The lottery draw will be held on April 29 and the last date for admissions is May 5.

Prashant Munjal, vice-president, Haryana Progressive Schools’ Conference, said: “The admission process has started from April 16 and we are open for admissions, but the Education Department is still silent over the issue of reimbursement. HPSC president SS Gusain has sent a letter to the Director Elementary Education on Tuesday seeking clarification on seven points, including the formula opted for calculation of reimbursement, and for making timely payment of fees. The department should also tell who will be the competent authority to verify the genuineness of the income certificates and distance mentioned between the residence of the applicant and school.”

Kulbhushan Sharma, president, Federation of Private Schools’ Welfare Association, said: “We have already sought clarification from the Education Department regarding the mechanism being adopted to ensure the admissions of genuine candidates and their reimbursement, but there has been no response yet. Reimbursement of teaching EWS students under Rule 134-A and authenticity of income certificates were among the prime reasons behind the dispute between private schools and government. The department should resolve both issues before the last date of admissions else the association will move to the Punjab and Haryana High Court.”

The District Elementary Education Officer (DEEO), Anup Singh Jakhar, said: “The process for admissions has started and parents have to submit their application forms in the schools. The matter of reimbursement is at the government level and whatever directions we will receive, will be implemented.”

Sought clarification on issues

The admission process has started from April 16 and we are open for admissions, but the Education Department is still silent over the issue of reimbursement. HPSC president SS Gusain has sent a letter to the Director Elementary Education on Tuesday seeking clarification on seven points. Prashant Munjal, VP, Haryana Progressive Schools’ Conference

No response from Education Department

We have already sought clarification from the Education Dept regarding the mechanism being adopted to ensure the admissions of genuine candidates and their reimbursement, but there has been no response yet. Kulbhushan Sharma, chief, Federation of Pvt Schools’ Welfare Assn