Interestingly the Association, instead of accepting the government’s demand for registration has asked it to hand over its school to private schools if it is serious in their development.

The state government now appears to be on backfoot and has extended the date for registration from September 30 to November 12.

Not only that the minister said on Wednesday that no strict action would be taken against private schools not meeting the November 12 deadline to get government recognition. He, however, added that it was mandatory for all private elementary schools to get registered within the deadline in accordance with the Right to Education (RTE) Act. But the schools that do not get registered will not be closed. However, they will be compelled to get registered, he added.

Shahi clarified that the state government is not instructing private schools to go for registration, but only trying to implement RTE which has been passed and amended by Parliament.

The minister said that the state government requires at least Rs 28,000 crore to implement RTE in the state. This is a big challenge.

Meanwhile, the Co-ordination Committee of Public School Associations of Bihar, which comprises Bihar Public School & Children Welfare Association, Muslim Educational Welfare Association, Association of Independent Schools, Christian Minority Educational Association, Private Schools & Children Welfare Association and Neev continues to put pressure on the state government by organizing a state-level convention in IIBM, Patna.

The Secretary of Private Schools & Children Welfare Association Mervyn Cowell, while addressing the convention asked the state government to hand over the responsibility of its schools, at least one each to private schools for a year. There will certainly be a change in the situation. “We have proved our mettle in the past few years. We will impart quality education in government schools, too,” he added.

St Michael’s High School principal Father Peter Arockiasamy, Loyola High School Principal Brother Felix, Private Schools & Children Welfare Association president Shamael Ahmad and Bihar Public School & Children Welfare Association chairman D K Singh were also present at the convention.

What is interesting is that as per the RTE guidelines, the teacher-student ratio should be 1:30. But currently, the teacher-student ratio in government schools is 1: 56.

Of the few schools that remained open today was DPS Patna and Beacon Public School, New Azimabad Colony. On the other hand Radiant International School and DAV schools also remained open but only for the students who had to take their exams.

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