A prominent school in Basaveshwarnagar will be subjected to scrutiny by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) based on a complaint that low-scoring Class 8 students were allegedly ‘forced’ to take their transfer certificates and leave the school.
Based on a complaint filed by child rights activist Nagasimha G Rao, the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) has directed the DPI to conduct an inquiry against Sri Vani Education Centre, which also has branches in Rajajinagar and Magadi Road. It has also directed the department to ensure the affected students are retained in the same school. According to a parent, who did not wish to be named, as many as 15 students of the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) stream were asked to leave as they scored less in Class 8.
“I have already admitted my son in another school like other affected parents. However, the inquiry will ensure other students do not face the same treatment,” the parent added.
The issue came to light in April when Rao approached the KSCPCR with a complaint against the school after a few parents approached the Right to Education (RTE) Task Force, convened by Rao.
Technically, issuing transfer certificates to Class 8 students is not a violation of the RTE Act. Section 16 of the Act states: “No child admitted in a school can be held back in any class or expelled from the school till the completion of elementary education (Class 1 to 8)”.
Authorities from Sri Vani Education Centre were unavailable for comment.
Bangalore North-1 Block Education Officer M Gopal Krishna said, “I have received the letter from the department on Wednesday. The inquiry will begin soon since the school has reopened for the academic year.”