Patna, Sept. 21: The co-ordination committee of Public School Associations of Bihar ruled out a rasoighar or kitchen (under the midday meal scheme) in their institutions. The committee is not in favour of implementing some provisions of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.

Under the committee, six associations namely Association of Independent Schools, Bihar Public School and Children Welfare Association, Muslim Educational Welfare Association, Christian Minority Educational Association, Private Schools and Children Welfare Association and NEEV organised a news meet today.

J.R. Sharma, the vice-chairman of the Association of Independent Schools, said schools under Christian Minority Educational Society have already assured the state government that they have kept 25 per cent seats for the underprivileged children in Nursery/Class I under the RTE Act, but won’t take admissions until the decision of the apex court arrives. Sharma added: “Schools which have already ensured admissions have not got uniforms or any amount for the education of the underprivileged children by the state government. The government has asked all private schools to have a kitchen. This cannot be done.”

The committee also said the state government has no right to make undue interference in activities of such schools which are not taking any aid from it.

The committee also emphasised on private schools not to be asked to submit a self-declaration form for seeking registration/recognition. The schools felt this being done by the government of Bihar is tantamount to closure of schools in due course of time.

The members of the committee said the state government should wait for a few more months for implementation of the RTE Act until the Supreme Court decision arrives. If not, all schools under the committee are bound to follow Anna Hazare and protest in a silent manner.

Sharma, said: “We, along with a few other associations of the country have challenged some provisions of the RTE Act. The state government does not have the right to make undue interference in the activities of schools, which are not taking any aid from it. The government is misusing the act to harass and possibly shut down private educational institutions running in the state.