Dewas school charged RTE pupils Rs 1,000 each, inquiry confirms; FIR being sought

The Right to Education (RTE) Act is meant to let children from poor and disadvantaged families study in private schools. In many schools, however, it is becoming a source of income. No fee other than for hired transport can be charged to any child admitted under the Act, yet arbitrary collections in the name of activities and examination fees are taking place in several places.

One such case has come to light at a school in Dewas, where children were charged Rs 1,000 each. The district education officer had the matter examined by a team led by the assistant director. The inquiry confirmed the collection and also found several other irregularities. Strict action is now being prepared.

According to the district education officer's office, a woman filed a complaint in a public hearing in September. Her two children had been admitted to Ocean International School, Dewas, under the RTE Act, and Rs 1,000 was being demanded for each of them. She wrote that she belonged to a poor family and could not pay.

District Education Officer Rajeev Suryavanshi then had Assistant Director (Education) S N Prajapati conduct an inquiry. It found that money had been taken from children admitted under the RTE Act. The school management had also issued receipts for the Rs 1,000 collected from each child. According to officials, the amount was taken as an examination fee.

The inquiry also found that the school management sells items such as uniforms, bags, tiffin boxes and socks from the school itself. It has put together a package of these items costing about Rs 4,000.

The preliminary inquiry found that 77 students at the school have been admitted under the RTE Act. How many of them were charged is being examined. A more detailed inquiry is planned, and action could progress in the coming days.

School director Vikas Vishwakarma said, "Nothing of this sort is happening. If you take information from the complainant, the facts will become clear."

Dewas DEO Rajeev Suryavanshi said, "This is a serious case of violation of rules. The preliminary inquiry found arbitrary collection of money and the sale of goods from the school itself, against the rules. The collector and the chief executive officer of the zila panchayat are being informed, and action is under way to get an FIR registered. Recovery will be carried out according to the detailed inquiry."