121 schools in Dakshina Kannada told to refund 'excess' RTE fee

Mangaluru: The state Eduation Department has asked 121 private English medium schools in Dakshina Kannada district to refund "excess money" paid as fee reimbursement for admission of students under RTE quota during 2013-2015. 

Mangaluru South Block Education Officer (BEO) Jamesh Cutina confirmed that a meeting of private English medium schools was convened recently and directions were issued to over 52 schools in their jurisdiction to refund the excess amount.

"The directions were issued based on audit objections from Hassan DDPI (administration)," the BEO added. The managing trustee of a private English medium school told DH that he had received a letter directing them to refund the excess money paid as fee reimbursement to over four students enrolled under RTE, which was over Rs 16,527 in 2014-15

"I will not pay as we have spent more money on students from the weaker sections and disadvantaged groups admitted under RTE quota," he said. RTE reimbursement per child was also less, the principal of an English medium school charged. The government has fixed Rs 8,000 for pre-primary classes and Rs 16,000 for primary classes as RTE reimbursement fund.

"But the reimbursement per child in pre-primary class has not exceeded Rs 5,000. The maximum reimbursement per child studying in primary school was Rs 11,000," the principal added. 

James Cutina said 99% of 52 private English medium schools in Mangaluru North have refused to pay the excess amount.

"The schools submitted their audited reports in response to our letter on refunding the excess fee and also highlighted discrepancies in the manner in which the education department had calculated the fee reimbursement for admissions under RTE quota. After submitting audited reports and objections from schools, we are awaiting directions from the Commissioner for Public Instruction," he said.

However, some private English medium schools have gone ahead and reimbursed the excess amount to the education department. Dakshina Kannada and Udupi Private English Medium schools president K Ravindra Shetty, who is also the founder-managing director of a private school, said he had repaid the 'excess fee’ to avoid harassment from the department.

Director of Public Instruction (Primary Education) Syprian Montheiro said the special drive to collect excess money from private schools was done at the divisional level across Karnataka. 

Advocate and RTE expert K V Dhananjay said the government is entitled to collect dues and thus private schools should refund the excess amount.