In a first-of-its-kind case in Gujarat in the implementation of
Right to Education (RTE) Act, District Education Officer (DEO) of
Ahmedabad city has passed an order asking a private school in Vatva area
of Ahmedabad city to exempt an HIV-infected boy from the same area from
paying fees under the provisions of the RTE Act. The DEO’s action came
following a representation by an Ahmedabad-based voluntary organisation,
Dalit Hak Rakshak Manch (DHRM), which sought the same.
Under the provisions of the RTE Act, a child belonging to any of the
11 categories earmarked in the RTE Act is eligible to get free education
in any private school of his/her guardian’s choice. The private schools
have to keep 25 per cent of its seats reserved for the students of
these categories under the provisions of the RTE Act.
These 11 categories include children from families of Below Poverty
Line (BPL), Socially & Economically Backward Class (SEBC), Scheduled
Castes (SC) & Scheduled Tribes (ST), mentally challenged children,
children with HIV infection, and physically challenged children.
Firoz Pathan (name changed) is a
student of Class X in a primary school of Vatva area. After discovering
his case, secretary of DHRM, Rajesh Solanki, had written to the
Ahmedabad DEO, seeking fee exemption for Pathan’s education under the
provisions of the RTE Act while stating that he falls within the 11
categories under which a student was entitled to free education in a
private school. Acting on the DHRM’s representation, Ahmedabad DEO last
month ordered the concerned school in Vatva to exempt Pathan from paying
fees. A copy of Ahmedabad DEO’s order is with The Indian Express.
Pathan contracted HIV infection by birth from his mother. His
maternal grandfather, Aiyub (name changed), has been taking care of the
boy ever since he was three years old. According to Aiyub, Firoz’s
mother got infected with the HIV virus through blood transfusion during
her pregnancy. And the infection was then passed on to Firoz. Aiyub said
that after the death of his mother, Firoz’s father remarried. And since
then Aiyub has been taking care of Firoz.
Aiyub, a small-time tailor, said, “I used to spend around Rs 5,500
per year on the education of Firoz. And it used to be a significant
financial responsibility for me. But with the fee exemption, I am
feeling relatively relieved. The school authorities have told me not to
pay the fees from now onwards. In fact, they have also told me to take
back Rs 2,000 that I have already paid.”
Source: The Indian Express, 5th Feb 2015
Source: The Indian Express, 5th Feb 2015
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