HRD minister PK Shahi’s (bellow) remarks in the Bihar Legislative Council added credence to some parents’ complaints on alleged admission anomalies. Telegraph pictures

Patna, March 18: Admitting anomalies in the implementation of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, the state government today said some private schools were giving admission to students arbitrarily.

Replying to CPI member Kedar Nath Pandey’s question on the implementation of 25 per cent quota under the RTE Act in private schools, state human resource development minister P.K. Shahi said: “I admit private schools are giving admissions in an arbitrary manner.”

The government is keeping a tab on the implementation of the quota, he said. The district magistrates and district education officers have been asked to take action against the errant schools.

“The district administration has issued guidelines to the schools to implement 25 per cent quota for underprivileged children,” Shahi said, adding screening test is prohibited for admitting children from the underprivileged sections.

“Since this is the first year, there are some initial hiccups in implementing the act,” Shahi said, expressing hope it would stabilise from next year.

In response to Pandey’s question on unaided education policy, Shahi said the government has asked the management committees of unaided schools and colleges to submit the list of teaching and non-teaching employees with their bank accounts from the next financial year to ensure money reached the employees.

The government had abolished the policy of un-aided colleges about a year-and-a-half ago. The management committees of such institutions were accused of not disbursing salary to the employees, the minister said. Terming it unfortunate, Shahi said he would check to what extent the government could interfere in the affairs of the committees of the private colleges.

The minister also said employees of boards, corporations and autonomous bodies under the HRD department would have to furnish their asset details by March 31 this year. He said the employees of any unit receiving grants or financial aid from the government would have to declare their asset.

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