Chandigarh, Dec 15: The Independent Schools’ Association Chandigarh (ISAC) has sought a clear and time-bound reimbursement mechanism for Economically Weaker Section (EWS) admissions, claiming that private unaided schools are facing severe financial strain due to delayed payments.
In a representation submitted to the UT education department, ISAC said reimbursements under the Right to Education (RTE) Act have been limited to only a fraction of the mandated 25% quota, with pending dues running into crores of rupees.
“Schools are being asked to admit students without any assurance of budget availability or reimbursement timelines,” the association said. “This is unsustainable for private unaided institutions.”
ISAC urged the department to ensure that EWS students are referred to private schools only after confirming reimbursement funds and to strictly follow the provisions of the RTE Act along with recent judicial directions.
The issue forms part of an ongoing legal dispute between private schools and the UT administration. The matter is scheduled to come up for hearing before the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday.
In an earlier ruling, the high court had directed the Chandigarh administration to fully reimburse 37 private unaided schools that were operational prior to 1996 for EWS admissions. It had also set aside the revocation of recognition of St. Kabir School and Vivek High School.
ISAC said it expects the UT administration to align its actions with the court’s directions while processing EWS admissions and reimbursements.
