Ramadoss urges T.N. govt to issue notification for admitting underprivileged students to private schools under RTE Act

Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder S. Ramadoss on Saturday urged the State government to immediately issue a notification and begin the process of admitting children from underprivileged sections to private schools as part of the 25% quota reserved for them under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009.

In a statement, he pointed out that the notification was yet to be released. The fees for children admitted under this category would be borne by the government. “Since the summer holidays have already begun, it is condemnable that the notification under the prescribed quota is yet to be published,” he said.

Under the RTE Act, the admission notification for private schools is usually released in March, and applications are collected in April. The selection process will be completed in May to ensure that the entire admission process is finalised before June, when schools usually reopen. “However, there were rumours that the government might have decided to discontinue free education in private schools under the RTE Act. It is the responsibility of the Tamil Nadu government to address and dispel these doubts,” Dr. Ramadoss said.

The admissions under the RTE quota in Kendriya Vidyalaya schools were completed two weeks ago. Likewise, the Tamil Nadu government should have expedited the RTE admission process in private schools across the State. The government must immediately issue the notification and begin accepting applications, he added.