Chandigarh: Recently, private schools in Chandigarh have
announced Tests and interviews for admission to all classes except the entry
level ones, proving the fact that they haven't understood the provisions of the Right to Education (RTE)
Act 2009. Also, they failed to implement it. It looks like those schools in
Chandigarh have completely failed in their approach towards education.
The section 13 (1) of the RTE act states that no school should charge neither any capitation fee nor should conduct a screening test for the child or the parent of the child being admitted. As per the advocates, the act applies to students of classes I to VIII, but private schools have exempted the screening for entry level classes. Pankaj Chandgothia, an advocate states that no parent or child should be tested in any way. President of Independent School Association, and director of Vivek High School, HS Mamik says that this rule applies to entry class admissions. As per all schools, minority schools do not fall under the RTE act.
Due to this violation, RTE activists solely blame the education department for not being able to implement the rule. It also filed a PIL in 2010 against education department for the same. However, the PIL was discarded as the department immediately took steps for implementing RTE norms. Chandgothia said that even after this, violations continued as no action was taken by the department for the schools violating the norms. A case was also witnessed in May against a school, where the parent was asked for interview. The case is still pending.
HS Hundal, A Mohali-based advocate filed a plea to the UT education department against Vivek High School in Sector 38, Chandigarh. He stated that he had applied to pre-nursery class, however no one told him about the process of admission. After a few days, he was called for an interactive session which was the screening as there were a number of parents waiting for their turn.
After this, department took action against Vivek High School, by writing to them providing an explanation. The school stated that they are a minority school so they do not fall under RTE act. However, no minority status has been granted to school. Recently, many schools have advertised in newspaper and at their websites for conducting a test for class VI including Bhavan Vidyalaya in Chandigarh. The education department has asked for a reply from Bhavan Vidyalaya. DPI Rubinderjit Singh Brar said regarding violation of rules that they are looking into the case.
Below are some of the notices at websites of schools-
Gurukul Global School, Manimajra - Schedule of Admission 2016-17 (LKG-VIII). LKG and UKG: Interaction with parents and students. For Class I-V: On the basis of assessment, followed by interaction with the students and parents. For Class VI-VIII: On the basis of assessment, followed by interaction and result of the previous class.
Vivek High School, Sector 38 - Except for nursery admissions, entrance interviews are conducted for admission to all other classes, subject to vacancies. This is done to gauge the ability of the child for the level for which admission is sought.
RIMT World School, Manimajra - Classes I to IX: Students will be admitted on the basis of an entrance test on December 26 at 10am. The result shall be put up on the notice board on December 28 at 12 noon.
SGGS Collegiate Public School, Sector 26 - Admission is based on the result of the previous class, and on the basis of a written test/interview.
St Soldier International School, Sector 28 - Registration is followed by an entrance test (except pre-nursery) and interview. The entrance test is based on the syllabus of the previous class attended.