INDIA
Talk about stirring up a hornet’s nest. A task force set up by the central government has recommended carving out reservations for scheduled caste (SC) and scheduled tribe (ST) students from the 25% seat quota that the Right to Education (RTE) Act mandates in private unaided schools.
It has recommended that 8% of the seats falling under the quota for disadvantaged and economically-weaker sections should be kept aside for SCs and 4% for the STs.
The task force, set up by the national monitoring committee for the education of SCs, STs and persons with disabilities, submitted a report with its suggestions on Wednesday. The committee, headed by minister of human resource development (HRD) MM Pallam Raju, was constituted to advise the government on all matters related to the education of SCs, STs and the physically-challenged.
The task force has argued that the odds can be stacked against SC/ST students during admissions to private unaided schools. “There is no break-up of the 25% [reservation] between SC, ST, BC (backward class) and other children below notified income (sic),” states its report.
“This makes it possible for the proprietors of private unaided schools, which are always/almost always non-SC, non-ST to fulfil the 25% stipulation without taking in a single child of the SC, ST or BC.”
Minister of state for HRD Shashi Tharoor says the ministry will deliberate on the suggestions and will arrive at a decision in four weeks.
Educationist Vinod Raina, who has been the one of the key architects of the RTE Act, is all for the change as long as it is “rational”. “I don’t think this will require an amendment to the Act. If the state governments want, they can mention specific quotas for SCs and STs in their model rules under the RTE Act.” He, however, warns that such a sub-quota can be misused by the rich if an income cap is not laid down.
But Ashok Aggarwal, Delhi high court lawyer and RTE activist, dubs the idea as “populist”.
“The 25% reservation in private schools already covers SCs and STs. The beauty of the Act is that it does not discriminate between different disadvantaged categories. If you create a quota within quota, that defeats the purpose of the Act and makes education exclusive and not inclusive.”
Avnita Bir, principal of RN Poddar School in Mumbai, feels the government is pushing the envelope too much. “I support making schools more inclusive, but to have a sub-quota is asking for a lot. The [RTE] Act is about being open-minded about children from all backgrounds and we try to honour that. But a sub-quota will introduce too many rigidities,” she warns.
What the task force recommends
8% quota for SC, 4% for ST students in private unaided schools.
Reserving seats for SCs, STs and OBCs in private higher education institutions by moving a bill for it in Parliament.
Providing safeguards against discrimination in schools and higher education institutions
Free education for children from SC and ST categories from the primary school to the postgraduate-level.
DNA TV Show: Why did BJP pick Rekha Gupta as the next Delhi Chief Minister?
Groom’s rejection of Rs 5 lakh dowry wins in-laws' praise: ‘If educated people don't...'
Tina Ambani redefines beauty in pastel pink lehenga at Aadar Jain-Alekha Advani's mehendi ceremony
‘It started happening to...’: Akshaye Khanna opens up about premature balding in 20s
'Me watching...': Tanmay Bhatt posts sarcastic video amid Ranveer Allahbadia controversy
Who is Rekha Gupta, the new Chief Minister of Delhi?
Rekha Gupta named Delhi Chief Minister, set to succeed Atishi
Amid affair rumours with Abhishek Bachchan, Nimrat Kaur says 'words fail me...'
NHAI clarifies on new FASTag rules, says customers can recharge...
Meet man, who topped IIT-JEE Advanced 2018 with AIR 1, now lives abroad, works at…
Man sues PVR, INOX for wasting time with 25-min ads, wins Rs...
Red Coral and Yellow Sapphire: A Powerful Combination or Not?
Ahead of annual salary hike, Narayana Murthy's Infosys offers lower...
Parthiv Patel's self deprecating humour wins hearts, he was asked about Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma
Ramadan 2025 date: When will crescent moon sighting take place in India and Saudi Arabia?
Mamaearth co-founder Ghazal Alagh says every successful brand has one thing in common, it is...
Neo Ayurveda Resolves 20-Year Migraines and Normalizes TSH in Just 30 Days
After backlash, Netflix cuts Urvashi Rautela's role from Daaku Maharaaj? Here's what we know
Mukesh Ambani's popular brand enters quick e-commerce delivery in UAE, teams up with...
On the Epic 8th Anniversary, Lystloc Launches Advanced LystCRM Solution & Face Rec API
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg gets richer by Rs 118 crore after selling...; his net worth reaches Rs...
Nagaland Lottery Result February 19: Dear Cupid Wednesday lucky draw, check full list
Pak vs NZ, Champions Trophy 2025: Disaster for Pakistan? Fakhar Zaman is off the field in first over
Who was Milind Rege? Former Mumbai stalwart and selector who passed away at 76
Food vlogger, Chatori Rajani's 17-year-old son Taran Jain dies in road accident
Pak vs NZ Dream11 predictions: Check best picks for ICC Champions Trophy 2025's opening match
Varun Dhawan suffers injury, shares photo of deep cut on his finger: 'This one gets...'
Meet man, who joined NVIDIA in 1997, helped it become USD 3 trillion company amid US-China AI war
Asap Rocky found not guilty of shooting at former friend, Rihanna reacts: 'The glory belongs to...'
LIC Smart Pension Plan: Invest Rs 1 lakh and get Rs... every month on maturity, here's how
Influencer recreates Katrina Kaif's dialogue from Tees Maar Khan and it's absolutely on point
Future of Pilot Ejection: Martin-Baker's advanced technology comes to India
Meet Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy, Sudha Murty's granddaughters, their famous parents are...
FWICE urges Maharashtra government to make Vicky Kaushal, Rashmika Mandanna's Chhaava tax-free
Priyanka Chopra gives major Rangeela vibes as she channels her 'inner Urmila Matondkar'
Jamie Lever mimicking Govinda's wife Sunita Ahuja will start your day with laughter
Watch: Priyanka Chopra lands in Mumbai days after brother’s wedding, helps a person on streets by…
'They have a lot more money': Trump questions USD 21 million fund for voter turnout in India
Bank Holiday Today: Banks to remain closed on February 19 in THIS state due to...