Private schools to remain shut on Nov 11, 12 - Patna

PATNA: Private Schools and Children Welfare Association has announced closure of all private schools in the state on November 11 and 12 in protest against the government order to them to get registered under the Right To Education (RTE) Act by November 12. The registration in effect would mean allowing admission of poor children on 25% of the seats available in the school.

Members of the private schools' management and staff would oppose the government move by wearing black badges in schools. On November 10, they would hold a protest demonstration at the Kargil Chowk.

Talking to newsmen here on Saturday, association chairman Syed Shamael Ahmad said the private schools would observe November 11 as "anti-repression day". "We will hold a demonstration and submit a memorandum to the governor, CM and HRD minister on the day," he said.

Ahmad alleged the government order passed on the pretext of RTE Act has gone far beyond its provisions. "It is a 'Tughlaqi' order that is bound to affect the functioning of the private schools which are giving quality education to students," he said.

Ahmad said the government should have waited for the outcome of the petitions filed in the Supreme Court against the validity of the RTE Act.