Minority schools defy UT order

CHANDIGARH: With no clarity on how many seats are to be reserved by Chandigarh-based private schools under the land allotment scheme, the minority schools have yet again not admitted students from the economically weaker section (EWS) and disadvantaged groups. The nonminority schools finished with their admissions under the EWS quota under Right to Education Act on February 28. The education department has already challenged minority status of three private minority seats in Punjab and Haryana high court.
There has also been a rise in the number of minority schools in Chandigarh following the Supreme Court ruling in 2012 which stated schools having the minority status are not bound to reserve 25% seats at entry-level classes under the RTE Act.

Even last year, the UT education department through a letter had made it mandatory for all minority schools in Chandigarh to reserve 15% seats for the students from the economically weaker sections, but none of the schools complied. When asked, the school authorities said they would not admit 15% EWS children until the education department sought legal opinion by the legal remembrance (LR) on the order.

The notifications served to the schools states that the schools have to reserve 15% seats for the economically weaker section and that the schools can charge nominal fees from these children.

The education department officials and school authorities had also met estate officials in December to seek clarity but all in vain. When asked a member, from Independent Schools Association, requesting anonymity said, “We never received any directives in this regard from education department so no reservations were made.”

Director, School Education, Rubinderjit Singh Brar did not comment on when a clear picture would appear. However he said, “I have sought school wise details from district education officer.” The minority schools are exempted from RTE Act but like non-minority schools they are also under the mandate to reserve some seats for EWS category under land allotment scheme.

Nitin Goyal, president, Chandigarh Parents association ruled out any kind of confusion over non reservation of seats. “All schools, including the minority schools were given lands at institutional rates which are far below the collector rates. These schools wearing the skin of charitable institutions are interested in profits by fleecing parents.