On the fag finish of the 2024-25 monetary 12 months, the state authorities has launched over Rs 407 crore for college kids finding out in personal colleges underneath the Proper to Schooling (RTE) Act, 2009—the biggest disbursement the state authorities has launched because the Covid-19 pandemic, in accordance with officers. Nevertheless, round Rs 2,000 crore dues, pending since 2018, are but to be cleared by the state to varsities.
The state authorities got here out with 5 authorities resolutions in March, asserting the discharge of the funds to the Director of Major Schooling, Pune. Faculty associations welcomed the discharge of the funds, however that they’re nonetheless insufficient.
Beforehand, the Maharashtra English Faculty Trustees Affiliation (MESTA) stated that it could cost charges from college students admitted underneath RTE and return the cash as quickly as the federal government clears its dues. MESTA President Sanjayrao Tayade Patil informed The Indian Categorical, “We welcome the discharge of the funds and thank the federal government. Nevertheless, the funds are nonetheless a small fraction of the pending dues. We’ll cost the dad and mom and return their cash solely when 100% of the dues are cleared.”
Jagruti Dharmadhikari, president of the Impartial English Colleges Affiliation, informed The Indian Categorical, “These funds have been launched as just a few colleges have taken the federal government to courtroom. They would be the most important beneficiaries of the funds. Pune and Thane districts have the best variety of RTE colleges, in order that they wrestle probably the most and the funds launched are by no means sufficient. Few different districts have only a few colleges so they’re nice. Such pending dues are additionally an insult not simply to varsities however to the scholars as properly. Their charges ought to be paid respectfully by the federal government, it’s their (the scholar’s) proper.”
Dharmadhikari added that the federal government ought to give attention to the present schemes for the schooling of kids from economically weaker sections simply the way in which it’s focussing on girls by launching the Ladki Bahin scheme.
Sharad Gosavi, Director of Major Schooling, informed The Indian Categorical that this tranche of fund launch was the best since Covid-19 pandemic. “Round Rs 2,000 crore dues are pending until the 2024-25. However this 12 months, a big sum of cash has been launched. Each faculty will get some funds. The faculties and associations need to work in accordance with the legislation and can’t cost RTE charges from dad and mom. “
