Admissions under RTE in schools has spiked in Tamil Nadu: Minister

Minister for School Education P Benjamin said 49,864 children got admitted under the Act in 2013-14

Admission of children from disadvantaged sections in self-financed schools under the RTE Act has increased over the past three years with 94,811 students getting admitted in 2015-16 alone, Minister for School Education P Benjamin told the State Assembly today.

He said 49,864 children got admitted under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 in 2013-14.

"This increased to 86,729 in 2014-15 and to 94,811 in 2015-16," he said, adding authorities have taken effective steps for displaying the vacancies under the RTE provision in private schools.

"Owing to the awareness programmes organised in 2,623 habitations by the SSA (Sarva Siksha Abhiyan) on the provisions of the RTE Act, the admission of children from the disadvantaged groups and weaker sections in self financing schools has increased over the past three years," he said.

The Directorate of Matriculation Schools (DoMS) has developed a comprehensive manual on RTE Act and Tamil Nadu RTE Rules, 2011 and issued them to all schools, he said.

"Being a nodal agency for the implementation of the RTE Act, the Directorate of Matriculation Schools has disseminated the provisions of the Act to all principals of matriculation schools as well as parents in collaboration with the SCERT," he said.

He said the DoMS ensures the issuance and collection of filled in forms for admission of children under 25 per cent reservation as stipulated under RTE Act through the district level offices.

Referring to rainwater harvesting in schools, he said the DoMS "ensures the creation of rainwater harvesting facilities in all matriculation schools, to stake their claim for recognition and renewal of recognition.