The Swagat online grievance portal in Gujarat has received a flood of over 200 complaints from parents, highlighting serious difficulties faced by students admitted to private schools under the Right to Education (RTE) Act. These complaints, which will now be examined by district education authorities, allege systemic discrimination and unfair treatment of children from economically weaker sections.
Allegations of Segregation and Coercive Fees
The core of the grievances points to alleged discriminatory practices by some private, self-financed schools. Parents have reported that students admitted under the RTE quota are subjected to inhuman treatment and segregation within classrooms. A recurring and serious allegation is that in schools operating two shifts, RTE students are deliberately allotted seats only in the less desirable afternoon shift.
Furthermore, parents claim they are later pressured to pay exorbitant amounts to move their children to the morning shift. In several instances, schools have allegedly demanded sums ranging from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh for this shift change. Some schools have outright stated that only students paying full fees are eligible for morning shift admission, effectively denying choice to RTE beneficiaries despite the law's provisions.
Specific Cases and Official Response
One detailed complaint from Banaskantha district illustrates the financial pressure. While the school's stated annual fee is Rs 22,000, parents of RTE students are being compelled to pay an additional Rs 11,000 as so-called "activity fees." Such practices undermine the very purpose of the RTE Act, which was implemented to ensure access to quality education for children from poor families in private institutions.
Frustrated by inaction at local levels, parents escalated these issues to District Education Officers (DEOs) and District Primary Education Officers (DPEOs). They were subsequently advised to lodge formal complaints on the Swagat portal, which allows citizens to present grievances directly to the Chief Minister. The accumulation of over 200 registered complaints has now triggered official action.
Hearings Ordered to Address Systemic Issues
In response to the mounting evidence, the state administration has initiated a formal process. In the coming days, district education officers (DEOs and DPEOs) will conduct inquiries and hearings based on these complaints. This move aims to investigate the allegations thoroughly and ensure compliance with the RTE Act's mandate.
This is not the first time such issues have surfaced. Similar complaints about differential treatment, including making RTE students sit separately, have emerged in the past. The current wave of grievances on the Swagat portal indicates a persistent, unresolved problem within the implementation of the quota system in certain private schools, calling for stricter oversight and accountability.
