Patna, Sept. 8: Many schools in the state do not seem to be keen on following all the norms under the Right to Education Act. The act was put in place to provide free and compulsory education to the underprivileged children in Nursery/Class I from the academic session 2011-12.

The 17 minority schools under the Christian Minority Educational Society also have also not ensured 25 per cent admissions in their institutions because the matter is pending in the Supreme Court and Patna High Court.

Schools, which have not implemented the RTE Act are DPS Patna, Saraswati Vidya Mandir, Eklavya Educational Complex, International School and many others. According to the Bihar State Child Rights Protection Commission, Patna has witnessed 350 admissions in schools under the 25 per cent category. Bhagalpur has the maximum figures — 603 admissions in the academic year 2011-12.

Chairperson of Bihar State Child Rights Protection Commission Nisha Jha said: “Few schools have their own say and complain that they did not get any such letter which said that they had to implement the RTE Act. The commission will enquire whether they were informed by the department or not. If yes, then such schools would have to give appropriate reason as to why they did not follow same.”

Shamael Ahmad, the chairman of Private Schools and Children Welfare Association, said: “Most of the private schools already provide education to the underprivileged children and the figure is more than that of 25 per cent. The way the state government is imposing RTE Act on private schools is not justified when it’s already being done. The private schools are not getting any sort of aid from the state government and on the other hand, they have to pay various types of commercial taxes to the state government. There seems to be no use of the 25 per cent reservations for this again. The quality of education being provided by the private schools is much better than that of the state government because of which parents are getting attracted towards these schools. Therefore all this is being done. The state government should ensure better quality of education in its schools.”

The district education officer, M. Das, said: “I can give details only after I reach office.” Das said he was unaware of any such committee, which had to be formed to monitor schools regarding the implementation of the same.