State directs private schools to reserve 25% seats for poor students

BHUBANESWAR: Following the judgment of the Supreme Court to reserve 25 per cent seats for students of financially weak families from the upcoming 2012-13 academic year, the State Government has geared up for the implementation of the ruling in the private schools of the State.

The School and Mass Education Department on Thursday held a meeting here with the heads of private schools of the twin city and directed the schools to implement the apex courts ruling effectively.

During the discussion with the private school heads, the department clarified that the students of poor families staying within 1 km radius of the private school could read there. If needed, the distance of the radius would be increased, the department authorities said, adding, “The private schools can fill up the vacant reservation seats after three months of the admission.”

“We are directing the schools to implement the RTE Act and the apex court’s ruling to reserve the necessary seats for the poor students. If any one of the schools fails to implement that, the State Government would take action against the school authorities,” said director of primary education Sukdev Das.