COIMBATORE: The School Education department has extended the last date to get application for the 25 per cent seats for disadvantaged and weaker section of the society under the Right To Education (RTE) quota to June 30.
This was done aimed at allowing more students belonging to the disadvantaged and weaker sections of the society to get admitted under RTE provisions.
Coimbatore Chief Educational Officer A Gnanagowri said, “The last date for receiving application for RTE quota seats has been extended to June 30. This has been done as only a few applications have been sold in some schools.”
This year, application for the seats under RTE quota was issued from May 2 to 31. Sources in the school education department in the district said, over 5,500 seats were available in LKG section under this provision. But, only around 4,500 application forms were received by the schools.
However, MDMK state youth wing secretary V Eswaran said, extending the last date by one more month would be of no use to poor students.
“The academic year has already started as many schools have reopened on Monday last. But, the School Education department is yet to announce the new schedule for processing the application forms to admit students under the RTE quota. While application already received by private schools are not processed and students are not being admitted, then what is the use in extending the last date for issuing forms,” he said.
“Only if the School Education department announces revised schedule, schools can process the application, display a proper list on the notice board. If schools receive more application than seats available under RTE quota, they should be filled up in lot system,” he suggested.
“Already there is a provision in RTE Act, for filling up the vacant seats in 25 percent quota for six months,” he added.