Navodaya Schools Exempt from 2 Key RTE Provisions
Lakhs of children waiting to take the entrance test for admission
into the prestigious Navodaya Vidyalayas can now finally appear for it as the law
ministry has finally said these schools can be exempted from two key provisions
of the Right to Education Act.
However, the law ministry has asked the HRD ministry to take the precaution of issuing
the necessary notification exempting these schools from the RTE Act. The two key
provisions no screening and 25% reservation for economically weaker sections will
not be applicable to 444 Navodaya Vidyalayas across the country. As a result, the
entrance test for these schools, that was to take place in February, would now held
in July. Sources in the Navodaya Vidyalaya Sangathan (NVS) said, the session in
Navodaya Vidyalayas has already been delayed by a few months. We would like to conduct
the test next month.
As for issuing the notification, ministry sources said there is a procedural hitch.
Parliament is seized with the RTE amendment Act and till it is passed, the notification
cannot be issued. HRD officials point out that while NVs have waited and delayed
admissions, other government-run schools like Sainik Schools and Pratibha Vidyalayas
have gone ahead without seeking any clarification.
There are a number of reasons for letting Navodaya Vidyalayas off the RTE hook.
They start from class VI and not class I. These schools, located in all districts,
have 75% seats reserved for rural children.
Courtesy: Times of India
