LEARNING THE WAY

RTE helplines ringing off the hook Christin Mathew Philip TNN Chennai: Several students from economically underprivileged backgrounds have been dialling the Right to Education (RTE) Act helpline numbers,wanting toknowhowthey could getinto good private schools.According to the Right to Education (RTE) Act,which came into force from April 1,2010,25% seats are reserved for underprivileged sectionsin all private unaided schools. Several private schools in the city have notimplementedthe provision and many people have called the helpline numbers with complaints. The StateCouncilof Educational Research and Training (SCERT ) created theRTEhelpline numbers (044-28278742,28211391 ) to help implement the legislation and give needy students access to private schools.Delhi-based NGO Social Juristhas alsostarted nationalhelplines (09868529459,08826456565 ) for free legal assistance under the RTE Act to studentsfrom poor backgrounds. We have received several calls from various parts of the state, said SCERT joint director (schemes ) M Palanisamy.We are taking steps to address the complaints.We are also conducting various awareness programs for both parents andteachers. Officials of SCERT said several callers ask for documents required for admission under the RTE Act.Many students and parents also want to know the nodalofficersthey shouldcontactfor admissions and the process of reimbursementof schoolfees. Most people arestillunawareof the legislation.Many private schools claim that the RTE quota is not applicable to minority-administered schools, said a senior SCERT official.We are also getting complaints that some private schools are not allowing admission under the RTE Act.We will take every step toensurethattheRTEActis a successin thestate. Ashok Aggarwal,adviser of Social Jurist and national president of the parents association,said the national helpline has received several calls from Tamil Nadu.We are providing legal help to needy studentsseeking admission under the legislation, he said.Some callers have complained of arbitrary hikes in theschoolfeeswithout any notice. Students Federation of India (SFI ) is planning to organise campaigns across the state to promote awareness on the Act.Thefederationsstate president,K S Kanagaraj,said many private schools are flouting the RTE Act.We have been conducting variouscampaigns andseminars demanding effective implementation of thelaw, hesaid. mp.christin@timesgroup.com Times of India

NON IMPLEMENTATION OF 6TH PAY COMMISSION - KULACHI HANSRAJ MODEL SCHOOL RECEIVES NOTICE FROM DELHI HIGH COURT

Justice Suresh Kait of Delhi High Court today issued notices to Director of Education, Kulachi Hansraj Model School and DAV College Managing Committee on a petition filed by a primary teacher Ms. Pramod Popli through Advocates Ashok Agarwal and Kusum Sharma claiming fixation of pay with effect from 1.1.2006 in terms of the recommendations of the 6th Pay Commission and payment of arrears of salary and allowances amounting to Rs.7, 22,913/- arising there from. The High Court has given four weeks time to the school and the DOE to file reply to the petition and listed the matter for hearing for 11.12.2012. “The failure on the part of the school to implement the recommendations of the 6th Pay Commission effective from 1.1.2006 is arbitrary, discriminatory, violative of Articles 14, 16 & 21 of the Constitution of India and contrary to the provisions of Section 10 of Delhi School Education Act, 1973”, argued Advocate Ashok Agarwal.

12 CLASS FAILED STUDENT HAS A RIGHT OF RE-ADMISSION IN SAME SCHOOL

We are receiving complaints from the students/parents that the schools (unaided as well as government) have been refusing re-admission to the Class XII failed students in Class XII in the academic year 2012-13. We have sent telegrams to such schools requesting them to grant re-admission immediately. If these schools don't respond positively, we shall approach the Hon'ble Delhi High Court. Rule 138 of Delhi School Education Rules, 1973 provides, "A student who fails at any public examination shall, not, on that account, be refused re-admission in the school or class by the school from which he had appeared at such examination." It is submitted that denial of re-admission of the students by these schools is totally illegal, arbitrary and in violation of the provisions of Delhi School Education Act, 1973 and the rules made there under. If you find any such case of violation of the right to education, please refer the same to us. We shall provide all legal help free of costs to the aggrieved students. Ashok Agarwal, Advocate M-09811101923

MBBS CANDIDATE FOUND WITH MASS IN OVARY - MEDICAL COLLEGE REJECTS ADMISSION – DELHI HIGH COURT SEEKS REPLY FROM AFMC, UOI & MCI

Delhi High Court (G.S.Sistani J) on Monday sought reply by 8th August from Armed Forces Medical College, GOI and MCI on a petition filed by a MBBS aspirant Vidushi Gupta through Advocate Ashok Agarwal and Anuj Agarwal whose candidature for admission in MBBS course in AF Medical College, Pune was rejected by the College on the ground of medical unfitness as mass was found in her ovary during medical examination at the College. The High Court has directed the College to not to fill one last seat in the meanwhile. “The mass in the left ovary is merely a dormant minor cist which would not affect the healthy life of the petitioner in any manner whatsoever and therefore, the College was not justified in rejecting the candidature of the petitioner”, argued Ashok Agarwal.

NATIONAL SHAME - MORNING SCENE AT DISTRICT COURTS, TIS HAZARI, DELHI (INDIA) - PHOTO BY ASHOK AGARWAL

ALL INDIA PARENTS PROTEST AT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION OFFICE TODAY - JOIN IN BIG NUMBER

The All India Parents Association is organising a protest demonstration in front of the office of the Director of Education today at 4 pm demanding immediate withdrawal of the admission criteria 2012 for science and commerce stream in government and aided schools. TIMES OF INDIA 16 JULY 2012 SPEED NEWS

Class XI admission policy: Parents, students to protest on Monday

NEW DELHI: Parents and students will protest in front of directorate of education on Monday against the new admission policy for class XI in science and commerce stream. According to All India Parents Association, there is no rationale behind the change in criteria for admission in class XI science and commerce and that the DoE's order must be rolled back.

While 15,000 students got admission in science stream in government schools last year, the new admission criteria will allow only 5,200 students to get admission in science stream,the association stated.

"Till last year, a science candidate with CGPA 6 at class X was eligible for admission in class XI, but now, a minimum of CGPA 7 is required for admission," said national president of AIPA, Ashok Agarwal. In commerce stream, a candidate with CGPA 5 was eligible for admission in 2011, but the new criteria requires a minimum of CGPA 6.6 (with mathematics) and 6 (without mathematics).


TOI New Delhi
13 July 2012