Gurgaon's Amity International School Penalized for RTE Act Non-Compliance
In a significant enforcement action, the Directorate of Elementary Education in Gurgaon has levied a fine of Rs 1.5 lakh on Amity International School, located in Sector 43. This penalty was imposed on Thursday due to the school's failure to fully adhere to the mandates of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009. The institution did not complete essential procedures for declaring seats reserved for students from economically weaker sections and disadvantaged groups, as required by law.
Mandatory Seat Declaration Under RTE Act
According to Section 12(1)(c) of the RTE Act, all schools must allocate 25% of their seats to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. An official order revealed that while Amity International School declared the necessary seats on the Management Information System (MIS) portal, it failed to submit the required supporting documents. Consequently, the District Elementary Education Officer rejected the school's declaration, citing incomplete compliance.
School's Defense and Hearing Proceedings
The school was provided an opportunity for a personal hearing on January 28, during which the management committee argued that there was no intentional violation of the RTE Act. They attributed the irregularities to a lack of awareness or knowledge about the established norms and procedures. Dr. Anshu Arora, the principal of Amity International School, stated, "At no stage were we informed of any rejection or deficiency by the authorities. Therefore, we have respectfully requested a review of the penalty as there was no wilful violation or negligence on the part of the institution, and we remain committed to ensuring transparency and adherence to all statutory requirements."
Penalty Imposition and Future Compliance
After considering the school's submissions and the provisions of the RTE Act, the directorate decided to impose a fine of Rs 1.5 lakh. The school has been ordered to pay this amount within two days. Additionally, a strict warning has been issued, mandating that the school adhere to all RTE Act requirements in the future. Failure to comply could result in further appropriate actions as per prescribed rules.
Broader Implications for Private Schools
In a move to strengthen enforcement, field authorities have also been directed to ensure that all private schools within their jurisdiction submit proper documentation for admissions under the RTE Act. Schools failing to do so must immediately deposit the prescribed penalty amount. This step aims to enhance accountability and transparency in the implementation of educational policies for disadvantaged students across Gurgaon.
