Manjhi assures help to teachers of non-govt primary schools

Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi today assured assistance to 390 non-government primary schools fighting for regularisation and absorption by the state.
Manjhi, who was speaking to the representatives of the schools, said the state government has 'in principle' decided not to absorb or regularise any school or college.
"But if rules can be made, they can also be changed," he said adding the government would provide financial assistance to the non-government schools under one of the provisions of Right To Education (RTE), which stipulates all non-government schools to admit 25 per cent students from the poor category.
The rule says that such schools would get Rs 4,500 per annum for each of such students.

Manjhi said he sympathised with the teachers as he had himself faced poverty and studied in adverse circumstances.
"You are not getting any money from the state government right now. You are fighting for your survival. This money provided under RTE will ensure that you at least get something," Manjhi told the school representatives, who today organised a seminar here on their plight under the banner of 'Bihar Rajya Arajkiya Prarambhik Shikshak Sangharsh Morcha'.
The chief minister checked himself from announcing any programme for the schools as Primary Education Director Manish Kumar handed him a note saying that the matter was sub-judice as the teachers have moved Patna High Court for relief.

"I had decided to make an announcement. But now I have been told that the case is in the court. You know that there could be no executive order in a sub-judice matter. So I will refrain from saying anything," he said.