Karnataka will take legal action against schools not going by right to education

Primary and secondary education minister Vishveshwar Hegde Kageri has said that the state would enforce the right to education (RTE) Act in its entirety, irrespective of the stand taken by schools.

“The schools that don’t adhere to the RTE Act have to face legal action,” he said.

Kageri’s statement comes in the wake of the controversy sparked off by a circular sent by Bethany High School in Koramangala to parents of its students, with the underlying tone being against the RTE Act.

The RTE Act, which came into force on April1, states that private schools have to provide free education for 25% of the students from the economically and socially backward sections of society.

The circular said: “Once this Act is enforced, a child could beat up your child, smoke on the campus, misbehave with a girl or a teacher and the school will have to watch helplessly... But, after the Act is in place, even if such incidents occur, we will not be in a position to take any action.”

The circular created ripples of controversy in education circles and went all the way to the Centre. Union human resource development minister Kapil Sibal had called the circular “elitist” and “discriminatory”. He warned that the school might face action for its “indiscretion”.

Kageri said educational institutions and experts could file objections to the draft rules of a similar Act being considered by the state. The state had put up the draft rules of Karnataka Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Rules, 2010, on the website of the education department (http://karnatakaeducation.gov.in). “Any body can go through the rules and file their objections,” Kageri said. “But, once the draft rules are finalised, the government will take strong action against schools violating the Act.”

Several Bethany students DNA spoke to supported the 25% reservation. “It’s time to support the cause of education of children, whose parents cannot afford their education,” a student of the school, who did not wish to be named, said. “Private schools should open their doors to such children.”

Students said private schools should play a role in ensuring education for all. “All children should attend schools, whether their parents can afford their education or not,” said another student on condition of anonymity.