RTI activist protests against private schools

Ludhiana, November 18

An RTI activist Rohit Sabharwal staged a protest outside the office of the Deputy Commissioner against private schools for allegedly violating norms. He alleged that due to the failure of the authorities concerned to take action as per law against the private schools in Ludhiana for carrying out ‘hooliganism and exploiting’ parents and children by not providing the children admissions through draw of lots or randomisation process as per the rules.

“As per Rule 7 (5) & 7 (4) of the Punjab Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Rules, 2011, the private schools are bound to provide admissions to the children applying in their school for elementary education through draw of lots or randomization process only and they are debarred from conducting the screening test or interview of children or their parents. Many renowned private schools are violating rules but the authorities concerned failed to take action,” he said.

“Elected representatives are not doing anything on the matter. Hence, it is responsibility of the deputy commissioner and district education officer (Elementary) to ensure compliance to the statutory provisions, however, they have failed to do so,” he alleged. — TNS