Pune: The Central Government has introduced a policy mandating annual exams for students in Classes 5 and 8, where promotion to the next grade depends on passing these exams. The State Government has already implemented this policy. However, concerns have been raised about the impact of this decision on students admitted under the 25% reserved seats provision of the Right to Education (RTE) Act.

Free Education and Exam Failures

The All India Socialist Education Rights Association has questioned whether students admitted under RTE’s 25% reservation will continue to receive free education benefits if they fail the annual exams. Under the RTE Act, these students are entitled to free education, but no clarity has been provided on their status if they do not pass the mandated exams in Classes 5 and 8.

Fee-Related Issues

Parents of RTE students have also reported instances of schools charging excessive fees, leading to financial difficulties. The association has pointed out that such practices contradict the essence of the RTE Act and has called for immediate intervention by the Education Department.

Demand for Official Guidelines

Sharad Jawadekar, the working president of the All India Socialist Education Rights Association, has urged the Education Department to issue clear guidelines addressing these concerns. Specific demands include:

• Clarification on whether RTE students failing in Classes 5 or 8 will continue to receive free education.

• A clear grievance redressal mechanism for parents to report fee-related disputes or issues arising from pass/fail disagreements.

• Steps to ensure that schools do not exploit RTE parents financially or academically.

The association has stressed the urgency of this matter to ensure that the interests of RTE students and their families are safeguarded under the newly implemented examination policy.