Patna, Jan. 24: Parents as well as school authorities are not in favour of implementation of the provisions of Right to Education Act in the state schools.

What is bothering them the most is directive to reserve 25 per cent seats in schools for underprivileged children.

Parents, though happy with the reservation move, are sceptical about their wards studying with kids coming from a totally different social background.

They, in fact, want separate classes or special arrangements for the kids getting reservation benefit.

Amar Jaiswal, whose son studies in Class V, said: “My child is in his adolescence. It’s a crucial stage of his life. He is not aware of what is wrong and what is right for him. He may learn wrong things from children who come from a social background which is not as sophisticated as ours. Also the underprivileged children may feel uncomfortable or even get hurt seeing the economically refined lifestyle of other children.” Jaiswal added: “For the children receiving quota benefit, there should be other arrangement or they should be sent to Kendriya Vidyalaya and others.”

Sumit Sinha, another parent, said: “We cannot imagine our children studying with underprivileged kids. This can be done but after few years. First of all, those children should be taught proper habits. For that extra classes should be conducted. These extra classes would help them learn good habits behave in a disciplined way.”

Few parents also expressed their concern regarding incid-ents like theft which might increase in schools. Parents said that if 25 per cent seats are reserved for underprivileged children and if they sit with kids from well-off families, they might get “tempted to steal things”.

Some parents, however, are okay with reservation for underprivileged children.

Pankaj Kumar, whose child in Class II, said: “This is a very good move. This shows that the education system has really developed. The authorities should see to it that deserving children get admission.”

Kumar said strict screening should be done for selection of the kids. “There should be certain criteria for selection. The schools should not pick any child for admission. They should ensure that the children are from financially weak background,” he said.

Awadhesh Singh, another parent, said: “We don’t mind our child sitting with an underprivileged kid but it should be ensured that the child receiving quota benefit is a deserving student.”