Surat cracks down on RTE admission fraud

Surat : In a landmark move, Surat has set a precedent by taking stringent action against the misuse of the Right to Education (RTE) Act. Parents who tampered with documents and falsified their income to secure their children’s admission under RTE are now facing criminal charges, as per directives issued by the Surat District Education Officer (DEO).

For the first time, the DEO’s office has instructed all schools to initiate criminal action against parents who submitted fraudulent income and other documents. The crackdown follows a detailed investigation that revealed widespread abuse of the RTE Act by affluent families posing as economically weaker section (EWS) candidates.

Over 100 Admissions Canceled

The DEO, Bhagirathsinh Parmar, confirmed that admissions of over 100 students obtained under false pretenses have been canceled. The parents of these students were summoned for hearings and given an opportunity to present their case. However, evidence gathered by schools revealed that many parents owned luxurious cars, lived in opulent homes, and even operated shrimp ponds and salt factories.

“Students admitted under RTE were found to belong to millionaire families,” Parmar stated. “These families live in houses worth crores and pay monthly EMIs ranging from ₹15,000 to ₹20,000, indicating their financial capability to afford regular school fees. Their RTE admissions were canceled, and criminal proceedings have been initiated.”

Circular Issued for Criminal Action

A circular from the DEO’s office has directed schools to take legal action against 68 parents identified so far, with plans to include the remaining 32 parents in subsequent notices. The circular emphasizes the importance of holding individuals accountable to uphold the integrity of the RTE Act.

Teachers and Staff Assist in Investigation

The fraud was uncovered through private investigations conducted by schools, involving teachers and staff. Their efforts unearthed shocking discrepancies, such as parents who owned large businesses and high-value assets but declared themselves as low-income earners.

The DEO also highlighted that schools collected concrete evidence, including loan documents and income statements, which revealed the financial strength of these families. This evidence was submitted to the DEO’s office, prompting the current action.

Upholding RTE’s Purpose

The RTE Act aims to provide free and compulsory education to children from economically weaker sections. However, the exploitation of this law by affluent families undermines its core objective of fostering educational equity. By taking a strong stance, the Surat education department hopes to deter future misuse and restore fairness in the system.