The Maharashtra government has informed the Bombay high court that it plans to review its policy with regard to the Right To Education Act (RTE) in the next academic year.
NGO's plea for affected parents
Additional government pleader Geeta Shastri informed a division bench of justices AV Mohta and FE Reis, which is hearing a public interest litigation by NGO Anudanit Shiksha Bachao Samiti. The NGO has filed the plea on behalf of affected parents whose children haven't yet got admission under the Act.
What did HC say earlier?
During the last hearing, the high court had suggested that the government give vacant seats under the RTE to students under the open category.
Shastri said that they could not open the seats for open category since it is not permissible under section 15 of the RTE Act. The seats have to be left vacant in case some students approach them later in the academic year for admission under the RTE.
50,000 seats vacant under RTE
The high court had given the suggestion early in September after being informed that that around 50,000 seats were still vacant under the reserved category across the state. The court had said: "What is the point of keeping seats vacant? Why can't other children of the locality join? Infrastructure is available then why cannot it be used by others."
The court had also said that if this was done then it would also ease some pressure on the school management.
BMC's take on the issue
The counsel for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has said that in case any parent has any grievance on improper implementation of the Act, then they can approach a State Child Welfare Commission and lodge a complaint.
The court was informed by the government that under the RTE Act where 25 per cent quota has to be reserved for students belonging to the poor class of the society. Around 96,000 seats were available. While after proper advertising and raising awareness around 43,000 seats were filled while the remaining is vacant.
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