Chhattisgarh School Education Department has withheld Rs 250 crore from the private school operators of the state, due to which the angry private school associations are preparing for agitation. Private schools across the state will remain closed on September 14. There are preparations for a war demonstration in Raipur on 21st September. Chhattisgarh Private School Association will take to the streets with eight-point demands including increasing funds and releasing money on time.
This amount was to be released to the department of schools in exchange for teaching eligible children under the Right to Education Act (RTE). Officials of Chhattisgarh Private School Association, representing the private school operators of the state, say that the department has not yet released the amount for the years 2020-2021 and 2021-22. Due to non-availability of funds, small schools are facing problems in running them. All private schools in the state will be closed.
Association officials said that in the first phase of the movement, all private schools in the state will be kept closed on September 14. Only after the first phase of demonstration, if the School Education Department officials do not fulfill the demands, then a street fight will be fought. In the second phase of the movement, on September 21, all the private school operators of the state will unite in Raipur and protest against the department.
More than 9 thousand private schools in the state
According to the data received from the School Education Department, there are more than 9 thousand private schools in the state. Lakhs of children from lower classes study in these schools under RTE. Money is released after verification of the children studying in these schools. Some schools did not apply in the portal, hence the money has not been given. Following the demand of the schools, their problems are being solved by opening the application portal.
Movement to get these demands met along with RTE funds
There has been no increase in the amount of RTE for the last 12 years. The increase should be made from this year onwards.
The eligibility period for school buses in Chhattisgarh is 12 years. Eligibility period should be 15 years in Chhattisgarh.
Girls studying in private schools should also be given the benefit of Saraswati Cycle Scheme.
RTE compensation amount should be given to schools soon.
All accounts of private schools should be registered under PFMS.
The amount of uniform should be increased from Rs 540 to Rs 2000.
The amount of pre-matric and post-matric scholarship given to AC, ST, OBC category students studying in private schools should be increased.
Teachers of private schools should be given bonus marks on recruitment in school education. Just like the teachers of Atmanand are treated.
Small schools are facing problems – President Rajeev Gupta
Chhattisgarh Private School Association President Rajeev Gupta said that private schools have not received RTE amount of Rs 250 crore. Applied to departmental officials, but they are not resolving it. Small schools are facing problems due to not getting money on time. Apart from this, they have been demanding for a long time to increase the amount of RTE, to pay claims on time, to ensure that students studying in private schools get the benefits of government schemes. But every time nothing is being received except assurance. There will be demonstrations to fulfill the demands.
Schools did not claim on time – Director
Director of Public Education Directorate, Dr. Sunil Kumar Jain said that the money of some private school operators for the year 2020-21 and 2021-22 is pending. This money has been stopped because these schools did not claim on time and our portal was closed. Considering the demand of schools, the portal has been re-opened and schools have been informed about it. School managers will be able to claim by submitting the application online. The demands of the private school association are a government level matter. Whatever instructions come from the government will be followed.
