BMC education department yet to hold second round of lottery for RTE quota admission

With the academic year approaching, the civic education department is contemplating holding the second round of lottery for admission under the Right to Education (RTE) Act between June 18 to 22.

Under the RTE quota 25% seats are reserved in schools for students from economically weaker section (EWS).

While most students have begun preparing for the start of the new school year by purchasing notebooks, stationery and uniforms, the EWS children are still waiting to get admission. In the first round of lottery, out of the 3,411 students selected, 1,790 were admitted in city schools. While the first round's last date was April 30, admissions are still going on, claimed education officials.

Deputy director of primary education Dinkar Temkar said, "We have not yet decided the date for the second round of lottery. The first round is yet to be finished."

Recently, the Dindoshi police registered a case of forgery and cheating against unidentified agents who had helped parents to get fake income certificates for securing admission for their wards under the 25% quota. The police had received complaints against 66 parents.

BMC's education officer Prakash Charate said, "BMC's education department is thinking of having a second lottery for RTE online admission between June 18 and 22. The deputy director of school education recently issued a circular stating that if parents were ready to furnish a fresh income certificate from the proper authorities, then their children's admission could be considered. Right now, from the first lottery, at least 10% admissions are yet to be done."