By Faisal Fareed, TwoCircles.net,
Lucknow: The much hyped Right To Education (RTE)Act 2009 has been branded as a US strategy to wipe off the Indian education system. Managers of private schools are up in arms against the RTE and have raised their reservation over certain clauses of the Act.
In a convention under the aegis of Shiksha Sanyukt Sangarsh Morcha(SSSM) held at Lucknow on Sunday, the private school owners termed the certain clauses of RTE as impractical which will lead to the closure of all private schools.
The demands of SSSM during the convention received support from various political parties. Leader of opposition, Shivpal Yadav gave his support letter while Tariq Siddiqui representing state Congress chief, Dr Rita Bahuguna Joshi attended the convention assuring that their demands will be conveyed to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and general secretary Rahul Gandhi.
“It has been implemented so that small educational institutions are wiped off from the scene and big players can enter with their monopoly, we doubt that the RTE 2009 in its present format has been implemented under pressure from USA. They have included certain clauses as ‘neighbourhood schools’ which is prevalent in USA,” said Co-Convenor, AQ Hashmi.
Patron, SSSM, Zafaryab Jilani highlighted various clause of the RTE Act, which are detrimental for the private schools. “Already notices are being issued to schools by the concerned authorities in various districts. With the present format of RTE 2009 all madarsas, vaidik pathshalas and private schools will be closed,” he said.
The major demands of the SSSM, is related to scrapping of ‘neighbourhood school’ condition and repayment of fees to schools for poor students who are given admission under zero-fee category within one month. The SSSM also has objection over age restriction in admission of student. Presently the RTE does not permit any sort of screening for the student. The private schools also want right to deny admission. The compulsory passing of students also has not gone down well with the students and little bit of physical punishment.
The main bone of contention is the imposing of penalty on the private school norms. If any private institution does not follow the norms, its recognition will be automatically revoked and a fine of Rs one lakh will be imposed. If the school is run without recognition a fine of Rs 10000 will be imposed per day. “It is ridiculous and a move to put an end to the private education system who by their meagre means are imparting education in the society,” said Jilani.
The RTE 2009 Act has been enforced in the country with the UP government issuing government order implementing the act in totality across the state. “There is a provision where UP government can make amendments as per the local condition but they adopted it in totality making things worse,” said Jilani.
Besides, various school managers, the convention was also addressed by
various religious leaders.