25% seats tow be reserved for poor school students in Maharashtrao n

25% seats will be now reserved for poor school students in Maharashtra Sandeep Ashar & Yogita Rao, TNN | Sep 15, 2011, 04.06AM IST Article Comments Read more:Right to Education (RTE) Act|reservations 0 MUMBAI: It will soon be mandatory for all schools in the state to reserve 25% seats at the time of admission to grade I for students hailing from socially and economically weaker sections, and residing in areas near the school. The rule will also be applicable to schools affiliated to other national and international boards. The state cabinet on Wednesday approved business rules for implementation of the centrally-enacted Right to Education (RTE) Act. The act, which endorses free and compulsory education for children aged 6-14, was enacted in 2009, and has since been implemented in 12 states. Reservations on provisions of the act led to delays in its implementation in the state. Now, with the state cabinet approving the business rules, the final hurdle in implementation has been cleared. Apart from certain school managements, some state ministers, including those affiliated to educational institutions, and others in the political leadership, had expressed opposition to some provisions of the act. The opposition extended to the 25% reservation for students from backward sections, with arguments being made that such students would find it difficult to adapt to the culture in private schools in uptown areas. At the cabinet meeting, some ministers contended that implementation of the provision would burden the state exchequer by Rs 750 crore. Rajendra Darda however, managed to convince colleagues that approval to the provision was needed. Some ministers, including Varsha Gaikwad and minority development minister Naseem Khan, demanded that the quota for socially backward students be defined. Following the meeting, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan said the school education department would chart out a plan to implement the provision. An ongoing case in the Supreme Court on the reservation issue could, however, influence the implementation. Another contentious issue was regarding the make-up of school management committee proposed for state-run and private-aided schools. \ The committees will comprise 75% parents, while the others will be representatives from school managements, local bodies, principals and senior teachers, and experts in education. Following opposition from some politicians and managements, the government dropped the provision of appointing a parent as head of the committee in aided schools. An official from the Unaided Schools Forum claimed the rules could be challenged in court as well. Meanwhile, government polytechnic colleges in seven districts, including Mumbai city and its suburbs, will start evening classes for students from minority communities, Khan said on Wednesday.