Schools told to reserve 25% for weaker sections for this academic year

Mangalore, May 3: In what could well be a blow to unaided private schools who are trying to convince the government that they cannot implement RTE rules from this academic year, the Department of Public Instructions, Bangalore, has in a fresh circular set out orders that schools must put out the list of 75% of the students to be admitted in class I and keep 25% of the seats vacant until the next order is issued by the government.

The circular comes in the backdrop of the state government notifying RTE rules in the state gazette paving way for immediate implementation of the Act in the state.

As per the Act, 25% of the seats in a class are to be reserved for children from weaker and marginalized sections.

The circular issued by the Department dated May 2, states that schools which have already finished admission processes for class I, must put out only 75% of those names and keep 25% of the seats vacant for weaker sections. It also states that the schools must put out the list of only 75% of the children who have passed Upper KG and promoted to class I.

As far as accommodating the children belonging to weaker sections in the 25% quota are concerned, the Department has ordered schools to wait until the next order from the government.

The rules do not apply to unaided minority schools and schools specified in the sections 12(1)(a) and (b) of the RTE Act, the circular states.

Earlier today, educational activists and representatives of likeminded organisations decided to appeal to the Chief Secretary and Commissioner of the State Education Department to relax the school admission time limit specified in the previous state circular in view of the recent developments taking place after the notification of RTE rules by the state government. They have also decided to press the government to instruct schools to keep admissions open for children eligible under the 25% quota provided by the RTE till June 1, i.e. the day of commencement of classes. The fresh circular from the Department is likely to give muscle to their demand.

Also Read: 'Keep admissions in schools open for weaker sections till June 1'

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Probe will reveal if ‘outsiders’ belonging to banned-PFI involved in Mandya violence: Home Minister

News Network

September 17,2024

Kalaburagi: Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday said that alleged role of "outsiders" belonging to the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) in the violence at Nagamangala will be examined and action taken based on the probe report.

Clashes broke out between two groups during a Ganesh idol procession in the town in Mandya district following which mobs went on a rampage targeting several shops and vehicles leading to tension on September 11 night.

"Everything will be examined, investigation will be done, on getting the report we will decide. We will not protect anyone, and unnecessarily no one will be punished. We will look into the facts based on the inquiry report and take action accordingly," Parameshwara told reporters here.

He noted that two officials -- Deputy Superintendent of Police and Inspector -- have already been suspended, and added that further action will be taken based on the report.

The Minister said the government has taken the Nagamangala violence seriously and there is no question of taking such incidents lightly. "BJP makes such allegations, but we too have responsibility, we don't take anything lightly."

On allegations that "outsiders" were involved in the violence, Parameshwara said if inquiry reveals complicity of such elements, it would be examined and action taken accordingly.

Regarding claims that those belonging to the banned PFI were involved, he said: "It will be known from the probe."

On demand for a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into Nagamangala violence by BJP which alleged "failure" of state's home department, Parameshwara said: "they keep saying such things, we will not listen to all that."

According to police, an argument had broken out between two groups, when the procession by devotees from Badri Koppalu village reached a place of worship on September 11, and some miscreants hurled stones, which escalated the situation.

Following the clashes between the two groups, a few shops were vandalised and goods torched and vehicles set on fire, they added.

To allegations from some BJP leaders that the party MLA Munirathna was arrested "hurriedly", Parameshwara said, police acted after the complaint was given, "what's wrong in that?"

Munirathna, who represents Rajarajeshwari Nagar Assembly segment here, was picked up from Nangli village in Kolar’s Mulbagal on Saturday evening on charges of harassing a Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) contractor for bribe, casteist slurs on a former corporator, and also cheating, criminal intimidation and insulting a woman’s modesty.

Asked about "illegal items" seized from the prison here recently by officials, he said an investigation has begun on this.

When a photo of actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, who was lodged in Parappana Agrahara Prison here, hanging out with other inmates surfaced recently, action was taken based on the probe report and eleven officials were suspended.

"I will look into recent seizures made too and action will be taken; also probe is on at other prisons in the state and action will follow if anything wrong is found," the Minister added.

Police raided the high-security wing of Parappana Agrahara Central Prison here on Saturday and seized smartphones and other illegal goods.

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