This action, reported by The New Indian Express, follows a complaint by S Selvakumar, a former member of the Tamil Nadu Sanitary Workers Welfare Board.
The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has issued a notice to J Kumaragurubaran, the Secretary of the Tamil Nadu School Education Department, regarding the denial of admission to Dalit children in self-financing private schools under the Right To Education (RTE) Act. This action, reported by The New Indian Express, follows a complaint by S Selvakumar, a former member of the Tamil Nadu Sanitary Workers Welfare Board.
Selvakumar filed his complaint on May 22, alleging that private schools in Tamil Nadu were refusing admission to Dalit children under the RTE Act quota. In response, the NCSC decided to investigate the matter, exercising its authority under Article 338 of the Indian Constitution. The commission has demanded a detailed report from the Secretary within 15 days, warning that failure to respond may result in the commission invoking its Civil Court powers.
Selvakumar, hailing from Coimbatore, emphasized that the exclusion of SC students undermines the RTE Act’s goal of providing free and compulsory education to children aged six to 14. He accused private schools of favoring general category students and neglecting those from disadvantaged backgrounds. He called for the school education department to enforce the RTE Act rigorously and ensure admissions for children from marginalized communities, including the children of cleanliness workers and widows, without relying on a lottery system.
When contacted, J Kumaragurubaran stated that he was unaware of the NCSC's notice but assured that he would investigate the issue.