RIGHT TO EDUCATION: Authorities ask for divorce papers or husband’s death certificate
A single mother from Jamnagar, whose divorce is in process, has been running from pillar to post to get her daughter admitted under the Right to Education (RTE). While the RTE process in the state has provisions for single mothers, it is only restricted to two categories: divorcee or a widow.
A victim of domestic violence for not being able to bear a son, Bhumi Pandya left her husband's house in Rajkot three years ago with her two daughters, and shifted to her maternal home in Jamnagar. However, little did she know that her personal life issues will hinder her second daughters right to study.
Her divorce status 'in-process' stands as an obstacle for her daughters admission. For Pandya who is struggling to make ends meet, RTE was the only hope for her to ensure education for her second daughter. "It has been 11-years of marriage. After birth of my second daughter, I was subjected to domestic violence. My second child was being neglected by my in-laws and husband. Hence I moved to my mothers house. My sister-in-law passed away in an accident and my brother became handicapped. I had no option but to find a job. But with rising expenses, it is becoming difficult to sustain."
She further added, "I have filed a divorce case which is pending in the court. My husband refuses to give any of his documents for admission nor he is signing the divorce papers. The authorities say that I need to furnish divorce papers or death certificate, only then I can get admission for my daughter."
Rashid Chaki, a lawyer and a volunteer in Jamnagar, said, "Every year, single women are harassed for documents. In this case, the online application has been filed but when we went to submit the documents, they refused to accept. Since it was a Saturday, I could not meet the DEO. Monday is our last chance, if it does not happen, the child will lose admission under RTE this year." When DNA approached MI Joshi, director, primary education he was unavailable for comment.
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