IMPHAL, December 12: The Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights has directed to all schools located in Manipur State to refrain from resorting to any screening procedure for admission to elementary classes.
An official order of the commission has directed to all schools located in Manipur State to refrain from resorting to any screening procedure for admission to elementary class keeping in line with the mandate of the Section 13(1) of Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act.
“Any screening procedure already started for admission of elementary classes in any school should be suspended with immediate effect.”
The commission has observed that the school admission test including lottery system for admission to primary classes are against the RTE Act, and that is a very serious matter.
It said that the attention of the Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights has been attracted for screening children admission in schools (elementary education) under Section 13(2)(b) of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.
The order said, “Under the power and function conferred in Section 13(1) of the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005 read under Section 13(2) (b) of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, the commission is of the view that the school admission test including lottery system for admission to primary classes are against the RTE Act, and hence, it is a very serious matter.”
“Such school practicing admission tests and/or lottery system may be de-recognized under the RTE, Act”, it said.
It has further directed the heads of the Education department and concerned authorities to send a copy of this order to all the concerned District Education Officers to take necessary action if any school is found to be violating the Act, and issue show cause notice to all defaulting schools why necessary action shall not be taken against them for infraction of the law of this land made for the benefit of the children.
It has also directed the department heads to check if all the private schools have submitted “Self Declaration-cum-Application for Grant of Recognition of Schools” under sub-rule (1) of rule 15 the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Rules, 2010 to the office of the concerned District Education Officers and whether recognition certificates have been issued to the schools under sub-rule (4) of Rule 15. A report of the same may be furnished to this Commission on or before December 31, 2013.