NAGPUR Pvt Schools say reserving seats for poor disastrous

TOI NEWS

NAGPUR: For the last few days, city schools have been receiving circulars from either education board and their own organizations regarding the central government's decision to force private schools to admit 25% poor students and provide them free education. This provision is part of Right To Education Act (RTE) and even Maharashtra cabinet has approved the business rules regarding the same on September 14. It is expected the final approval for its implementation would come soon. 

However, top private schools in the city say the policy in its current form is unacceptable. Arun Upadhyaya, director of Centre Point group of schools said, "The spirit behind the move is correct and we support it but it needs to be reworked. The schools were never involved in discussions when the policy was framed and hence our concerns have not been addressed. The government has brought in a cap on fees, now they want us not to charge fees for one fourth students and still expect us to operate in a quality environment." 

Nisha Saraf, director of CDS School, said, "Government is pushing its responsibility on us. In my schools, we are already providing education at low cost and if we reserve 25% for non-paying students it will spell disaster. We do not receive any aid, so why should we be carrying burden of their policies?" 

Almost all schools owners in the city questioned the government's motive but were not willing to speak on record as they felt the issue was 'sensitive'. The government has offered to pay schools Rs 1,000 per student annually as fee reimbursement, while the minimum fee in these city schools is above Rs 25,000. 

Apart from financial implications, managements also argue that the poor students would actually suffer a psychological harm on studying with those from well-off families. The principal of a school situated off Koradi Road said, "It may sound snobbish to say this but social integration cannot happen this way. A poor child will be observing the lifestyle, accessories of classmates and would want them. The family obviously cannot afford it and student will then go into a shell due to inferiority complex. It may also lead to criminal or suicidal tendencies." 

Upadhyaya feels if the government had involved schools in policy formulation then more practical solutions could have been worked out. "I would be more than happy to educate the underprivileged kids but how can I accommodate them in my current infrastructure? All my seats are full. So I will have to either kick out 25% of my current students or invest in another building. My suggestion would be permit schools to start a second shift so that the same infrastructure can be used for those kids," said Upadhyaya. 

Both the union HRD minister Kapil Sibal and state education minister Rajendra Darda remained unavailable for comment. 

Government is pushing its responsibility on us. In my schools, we are already providing education at low cost and if we reserve 25% for non-paying students it will spell disaster. We do not receive any government aid, so why should we be carrying burden of their policies?