RTE deadline extended to March 4

Nagpur: The state education department has extended the deadline for online applications for free RTE quota seats in schools to March 4. Though 400% more applications have already come in for RTE seats, the education department feels more people should get a chance to apply.
As per data released by the education department, just over 30,000 applications have been submitted for 6,797 seats. TOI had reported last week that applications have crossed the 300% mark and within a few days, it has breached the 400% mark as well. With applications coming in steadily, it’s no surprise that the officials don’t want to shut down the online application portal yet.
Education activist Shahid Sharif too campaigned for extension of date. “There are many parents who complain about slow server speed, website crashing and applications not going through. It’s only fair that the department permits an extension of the application deadline,” said Sharif.
As the application numbers increase drastically, the other concern is of many schools boycotting RTE admissions. Independent English Schools Association has declared that over 20,000 seats may not be available for RTE lottery candidates because of their boycott till government pays pending dues.