Now, a helpline for admission of poor kids in private schools

Now, help at hand for poor students seeking admission in quality private schools. A Delhi-based NGO, Social Jurist, has opened an all-India helpline to ensure admission of poor students in private schools under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act.

Any underprivileged child aspiring to study in good quality school but is being denied admission can call up the helpline. Any individual from any part across the country can access free legal assistance through helpline numbers - 9868529459, 8826456565 between 10am and 5pm on all days except Sundays. One can also write to Mr Ashok Aggarwal, Advisor Social Jurist, 478-479, Lawyers Chambers, Western Wing, Tis Hazari Court, Delhi-110054. Alternatively, one can send email at [email protected].

Social Jurist, which is formed by a group of lawyers, has decided to help those children from weaker sections of the society seeking admission in private schools.

Ashok Aggarwal, advisor, Social Jurist, says that the NGO started this nation-wide helpline after they found that even two years after the RTE Act came into force, the poorer sections of the society were yet to get benefit from it.

“This is a central act. Besides Delhi and few other states, no other state is taking it seriously. If people lodge a complaint with us, we can write to the concerned state government, get support from the local people and help the concerned party. We can even guide the schools, if they call us,’’ Aggarwal said.

The helpline, which was started over a month ago, has received many complaints from Mumbai and Pune.

According to the Right to Education (RTE) Act, which came into force from April 1, 2010, 25% seats are reserved for EWS candidates in all private unaided schools. However, private schools in several states and Union Territories have not implemented this provision at all. DNA