'More than 9,000 RTE children missing in records'

There seems to be no record of 9,988 children admitted under the Right to Education (RTE) Act in unaided schools in the state, the Department of Public Instruction has observed in its latest circular.

Commissioner of Public Instruction S R Umashankar has warned Deputy Directors of Public Instruction (DDPIs) of action, and has given them one week’s time to submit all the records of RTE children through the department’s online portal.

“Out of 204 block education officers (BEOs) in the state, only 55 have entered the details of RTE children correctly. As many as 44 BEOs have entered wrong details, while 108 BEOs have entered incomplete details. We have received records of only 39,193 RTE children out of a total of 49,181. Where did the 9,988 children go?” Umashankar enquired.

While this anomaly is connected with unaided schools, the Department of Public Instruction is facing similar problems with regard to records pertaining to aided schools.

“Also, 122 BEOs have used the online portal to submit records of children in aided schools. Out of 5,842 aided schools, we have received records of 2,311 schools. Apart from this, 82 BEOs have not shown any interest,” the circular reads.

Further, 20 DDPIs have failed to meet the September 15 deadline to submit details of reimbursement payable to schools as reimbursement claims for RTE have been made from only 14 districts.

In the education department hierarchy, BEOs come under the DDPIs. “Those DDPIs who fail to take the necessary steps will be recommended for action to the state government,” Umashankar said.