Written by: Express News Service
2 min readNew DelhiApr 22, 2011 02:10 AM IST
First published on: Apr 22, 2011 at 02:10 AM IST
To Strictly implement the Right To Education (RTE) Act,the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) said on Thursday that it will take legal action against any principal who refuses to admit a child in his school. In some cases,it could even result in imprisonment,the civic body added.
Stating that action has been taken on several complaints received in this regard,Education Committee Chairman Dr Mahinder Nagpal said,“The RTE Act gives every child the right to go to school,and we want to ensure that it is implemented. Any child can fill up a form and apply,and the principal has no right to refuse them admission.”
MCD schools are currently admitting students and,according to a senior official,he has received complaints from two-three zones regarding students being turned away. “Students who come to MCD schools for admission are generally from the economically backward strata,and they can be easily intimidated by the principal or other school officials. We have called up the principals concerned,warning them against doing such things,” he said.
This year,the MCD has made mandatory the admission of disabled and poor children. It has been recruiting teachers to teach children with special needs,so that even they can pursue further education in regular schools. The admission process will continue till August 31 for the convenience of parents and students. According to sources,one of the reasons for principals refusing admission to children is a shortage of teachers and staff members.
Last year,the MCD had asked the Delhi government for funds amounting to Rs 1,600 crore,so it could improve the infrastructure of schools for implementing RTE Act. In March,the civic body had received Rs 38 crore for welfare purposes,Rs 2 crore for midday meals and Rs 30 crore to improve infrastructure.
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