Jaipur: Parents of students selected under the Right to Education (RTE) Act protested at Shiksha Sankul in Jaipur on Thursday, alleging that more than one lakh children have not yet received admissions for the current academic year. The Sanyukt Abhibhavak Sangh, an association of aggrieved parents, issued a 10-day ultimatum to the education department to resolve the issue, threatening to launch a hunger strike if their demands are not met.
RTE Reduced to Paperwork, Claim Parents
During the protest, the association stated that the Right to Education Act has effectively been reduced to mere paperwork. Abhishek Jain Bittu, spokesperson of the association, said, “On one hand, the government makes claims such as ‘Education for All’; on the other, the admission process is not being completed for students selected under RTE. Private schools are openly flouting the rules, exerting pressure on parents, and demanding additional documents and fees, while the education department remains a mere spectator to this situation.”
Demands and Next Steps
The association on Thursday announced that parents will launch an agitation, including sit-ins, demonstrations, and an accountability campaign across the state if the admission process is not completed. Their demands include:
- Immediate admission for all selected students.
- Strict punitive action against private schools found violating regulations.
- Firm accountability of district education officers and other concerned officials if they fail to act on complaints.
The association warned that failure to meet these demands within the 10-day ultimatum would lead to intensified protests, including a hunger strike by parents. They emphasized that the education department must take immediate steps to ensure every eligible child gets admission under the RTE Act.
