Over 25 schools in Bangalore South are allegedly refusing to admit children under the Right To Education (RTE) Act, claiming they have now been granted minority status. Education officials, however, say the minority status was given only recently, and would not impact this year’s admissions.
“They sought the status after the completion of the RTE process for 2014-15,” an official told Express.
The Block Education Officer (BEO) of Bangalore South (3) has issued notices to the 25 schools.
“Students who got seats by draw of lots should be accommodated,” an official said.
According to documents available with Express, over 2,000 students have got RTE seats at these schools.
“My daughter got a seat at Bethany School in Koramangla, but when I went there they claimed they had got minority status and so would not admit her,” said a parent.
Another parent had applied at Frank Anthony School in Ulsoor. “We had not received any communication. When we approached the school, they said they were now exempt,” she said.
Meanwhile, the RTE Task Force, a voluntary group, is trying to help parents by approaching the courts. “We have contacted some advocates,” said Nagasimha G Rao, its convenor. “We are receiving complaints mainly in Bangalore South. These 25 schools don’t figure in the minority schools’ list announced by the department,” he said.
As the process related to RTE was completed on March 29, parents are now struggling to admit their children at other schools. “We are ready to pay half the regular fee. Let them consider our children,” said a desperate parent.
Peter Lemos, principal, St Francis School, Koramangala, said, “We had got the minority status in 2008 and submitted the documents to the department. But they did not add our name to the list.”
The 25 schools
Mitra Academy School, Aradhana School (both Arakere), St Ann’s School (Akshaya Nagar), Jnana Prakasam Educational Institution, Presidency School (both Bilekahalli), Lourde Lower Primary School (Ulsoor), Bala Yesu School (Viveknagar), St Agnes School (Museum Road), Cathedral High School (Ashoknagar), East Wood School, Lourde Higher Primary School, Frank Anthony School (all Ulsoor), Good Shepherd School (Shantalanagar), Carmel Academy (Gottigere), Holy Christ School (Jayanagr 4th Block), Carmel Convent (Jayanagar 4th T Block), BET Primary School (Gurappana Palya), Nirmala School (Shantinagar), Khals Public school (Madivala), St Francis School, Bethany School (both Koramangala), Mary Immaculate School (Lakkasandra), Christ School (Suddgunta Palya), CES School (Jayanagar) and St Francis School (Hongasandra)