212 schools in Odisha capital violating RTE norms: Minister

Ayaskant Das Published On : Dec 8, 2016 at 10:27 PM Updated On : Dec 9, 2016 at 5:09 PM

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Dec 8:

As many as 212 private schools in Odisha capital have violated the Right to Education (RTE) Act, informed School and Mass Education Minister Debi Prasad Mishra in Assembly today.

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As per Right to Information Act, it is mandatory to reserve 25 % of the total seats for economically weaker sections. However, the institutes are not abiding by the norms, Mishra said.

Notably, the Act mandates that private unaided schools reserve 25 percent of the seats in their entering class for students from the economically weaker and socially disadvantaged sections of the society.

The School and Mass Education Department had directed the schools regarding implementation of the Act. Besides, a committee headed by the concerned minister was also formed. Despite this, the schools are not conforming to the guidelines.

On the other hand, the Higher Education Minister Pradeep Panigrahi told the House that as many as 86 Plus II colleges and 89 Plus III colleges might be derecognised.

“Less that 20 students are studying in these colleges. Of the 86 Plus II colleges, there are 45 Science, 39 Commerce and two Arts colleges,” Panigrahi informed the House in his reply.