Association of private schools seeks early disbursal of RTE dues for two years

The Tamil Nadu Private Schools’ Association has urged the State government to ensure the immediate disbursal of the sanctioned Right to Education (RTE) dues to private schools.

A resolution to this effect was adopted at its State-level general body meeting held in Tiruchi on Saturday. The meeting was chaired by B.T. Arasakumar, president of Tamil Nadu Private School Association, during which 23 resolutions were passed. D.C. Ilangovan, general secretary, and G.R. Sridhar, treasurer of the association, were present.

While welcoming the State government’s move to issue a Government Order releasing the pending RTE dues for 2023–24 and 2024–25, the association stressed that the funds should be credited to schools’ bank accounts without delay. It called for the swift implementation of the Madras High Court’s directives regarding the permanent recognition of eligible schools, their upgradation to middle school status, and the approval of building plans.

For the academic year 2024–25, the association reported an income of approximately ₹97 lakh, of which 50% had been allocated to district-level associations to meet their respective expenses.

The association emphasised that in POCSO complaints, private schools should be investigated thoroughly and action should be taken only after due process, without registering cases in a hasty or undue manner.

Plea for recognition

It demanded parity in recognition for students and teachers of private schools. Just as students from government schools who achieve 100% pass results in the Class 10 and 12 public examinations are honoured, those from private school students achieving 100% results, should be given State- and district-level awards for the top three rank-holders. They urged the government to confer ‘Best Teacher’ awards to private school teachers on an equal footing.

The association expressed concern over the steep increase in Fitness Certificate (FC) fees for private school vehicles that were over 15 years old, with charges rising from ₹800 to ₹1,500 for vans and bus fees increasing from ₹10,000 to ₹25,000. It highlighted the issue of excessive taxation on private school vehicles and resolved to address the matter through legal means.