As reported by Dipti Sonawala in mumbaimirror.com on 28 September 2009:
Toe RTI line, Education Dept warns schools, News - City - Mumbai Mirror,Mumbai Mirror

Toe RTI line, Education Dept warns schools

Despite a 2007 circular of the Education Directorate notifying officials that schools have to furnish details under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, many schools have been rejecting applications by parents, claiming they do not come under its purview. The Education Department has now clarified that both government-aided and government-recognised schools fall under the purview of the RTI Act, and refusal to give information could invite strict action.

Following this, education inspectors of all zones are instructing schools to provide information sought under RTI. Vithal Wankhede, deputy director of school education, Mumbai region, said, “Our education inspectors have issued circulars to schools to give information under RTI. School principals act as public information officers and education inspectors as appeal officers.”

Suman Shinde, education inspector (south zone), said, “I have instructed schools in my zone that they can’t refuse to reply. If they do, parents can approach the zonal education inspector, who would be the appeal officer in this case.”

Pretext schools used to bypass RTI Act

Many schools to avoid giving information, claim they do not have to abide by the RTI Act. “My child studies in Balbharti School, Kharghar. Authorities have turned down many of my RTI applications saying they are an unaided institution and are not liable to pass on information under RTI Act,” a parent complained.

Jayant Jain of Forum for Fairness in Education has filed several RTI applications to schools on behalf of parents, and all have refused to divulge information, saying they do not fall under the RTI Act. “Often schools reply that they are not public authority, and that the RTI application is misdirected under the Maharashtra Right to Information Rules, 2002. Funnily, some schools also say that we are acting on the behest of a few disgruntled parents, and launching a defamation campaign, rumour-mongering, etc. Obviously, these schools are taking advantage of lack of information among parents and NGOs. We suspect the schools refuse to reply fearing they will be exposed,” Jain said.

“Most unaided non-SSC Board schools, particularly CBSE, ICSE and IB board schools deliberately deny information under RTI. Even if they are unaided, they are government-recognised and use government land at concessional rates, making them accountable to the public,” said Dr M S Deshmukh, president, Students’ Welfare Association.

However, Perin Bagli, principal, Activity High School and secretary-treasurer, Association of Principals of ICSE schools, Maharashtra said, “Parents have every right to seek information from the school through RTI. However, there has to be some restraint in the type of questions asked. Queries regarding fees and such details can be answered, while some important details cannot.”

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