Govt firm on quota in schools

DESPITE STIFF resistance from unaided schools, the Centre has decided to introduce the Right to Education Bill in the budget session of Parliament.

The unaided schools are angry over a clause in the bill, which provides 25 per cent mandatory reservation to educational backward class (SC/ST/OBC) students in the age group of 6-14. The schools are also against role of the local authority -- panchayats and municipal bodies -- in securing admission of students from the weaker sections.

Another aspect they do not like is the constitution of school management committees, having local representatives, to enforce the proposed Act.

Usha Ram, chairperson of National Progressive School Association, says all unaided schools would meet on February 26 to discuss the bill and pass a resolution. Confederation of Indian Industries has already submitted its representation to the HRD Ministry echoing sentiments of the top schools.

Jyoti Bose, principal of Springdales School, says the schools are opposing the implementation part. "We want the government to rethink on it," she says. Principal of Mayo College (Ajmer) Pramod Sharma says it would result in the loss of autonomy for the schools. They would have to answer to the local authorities on teaching and infrastructure.

But the government is unfazed. Sources say the HRD Ministry has approved the revised draft and is likely to introduce it before the Cabinet in the first half of March.