Rte: minority schools say 'getting certificate' not mandatory in gujarat

Earlier, the petitioner had spoken against such schools and said that under the National Commission for Minorities Institution Act, the state and central government were to nominate a

competent authority Picture for representational purpose Minority schools in the state told the High Court on Monday that they were not required to get any certificate from competent

authorities to declare their minority status and that an earlier SC judgement had already made it clear that such schools are exempted under RTE. The argument was made in view of an RTE

petition that sought the court's direction to the state to ensure that the second round of admissions begin soon. Earlier, the petitioner had spoken against such schools and said that

under the National Commission for Minorities Institution Act, the state and central government were to nominate a competent authority. Such an authority was to give a no objection

certificate to the minority institution for it to be declared one. The petitioner argued that in the present case the institutions were 'self declaring' themselves as minority

without following the due process of law. The court, after hearing arguments from both the sides, asked the institutions if the certificates were not required, why would such a rule be in

place? Further hearing on the case is scheduled for Tuesday. The petitioner also pointed out that despite being given admission in the first round, over 7,000 children were yet to be

enrolled in various schools under RTE. Most of the children who were refused admission had been assigned minority schools. Over 40,000 students are still awaiting admission as the second

round of admissions is yet to begin.