Officials give plaints on RTE cold shoulder

The Right to Education (RTE) task force recently set up by the Karnataka Child Rights Observatory (KCRO) to monitor the implementation of RTE in private schools is getting several complaints from parents. However, higher officials are not responding to the complaints forwarded to them by the task force. 

“Parents are keen to know the reaction of the authorities. But all they get is a lukewarm response from them,” said Nagasimha G Rao, convener of the the task force which comprises 132 members, including 42 parents who send their children to private schools under RTE quota.

 “Many parents complain that besides fee on uniform, books and shoes, schools are collecting money for picnics, tours and festivals. One school is collecting an extra fee of `2,000 for Bharatanatyam classes,” Rao said.

 When a parent went to seek admission for her child under RTE quota, she was told it was not possible since a list of “chosen candidates” had already been forwarded to Delhi.

 In another school, parents were told not to bring any recording devices such as mobile phones and pen drives. Parents are getting misled, he said.

 “Many parents do not know what to do in such situations. They want us to take it up. Though we have forwarded these complaints to Sarva Shikshana Abhiyana (SSA), Child Rights Commission ( CRC), National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and  Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSPCR),  there has been no response,” he said.

The task force recently launched a diary which parents are required to fill in every day. After a few months, the task force will be compiling and tabulating it and sending it to SSA, CRC,  NCPCR, KSPCR.

The task force is conducting resource sessions on RTE on the third Sunday of every month. Those facing RTE related problems may call at 9880477198.