The lack of provisions in the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act 2009, makes it tough for children from economically weaker sections of society to get admissions into the Centre-run Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) schools here.

The KV schools are one of the very few schools to fully follow the RTE act in admissions, compared to private schools, but the lack of restrictions in terms of the income limit of the parents, make it tough for the needy to compete with others.

According to sources, in Coimbatore alone, around 320 students are admitted each year in the two KV schools here. Of the 160 students that each school takes each year, 25 per cent of the admissions are allotted for those who apply under the RTE Act.

The Act, which comes under the fourth category after Central Government Quota, State Government Quota and Single Girl Child Quota, can accommodate 40 students in each school four sub categories.

“While 25 per cent of the RTE is reserved for SC/ST, the rest of the 40 seats are divided between OBC (non-creamy layer), differently abled, general reservation and economically weaker sections, based on a central lot system,” said a senior official from a KV school in Coimbatore.

To apply for the same, the candidates should be residing within a 5 km radius of the KV school at Sowripalayam, whereas, the residing radius 8 km for the school at Sulur, as it is outside the city. And since every other candidate, regardless of the economic status, relies on the lot system, it hardly helps people from economically weaker sections, who also need a State government issued Below Poverty Line (BPL) certificate to apply.

An official from the school added that they cannot assure seats to the candidates from economically weaker sections of the society since all are in the same lot.

No BPL certificate in TN an issue

In addition to admission woes, the announcement made by the State to not provide BPL certificate is by itself a hindrance to the poor to get a seat in KV schools. “We can at least categorise the seats if such certificates are issued. Right now, we are only referring to the income certificates of the parents,” said an official.

Principal of the school Savithri T.Rajan was however not reachable for comments.