'RTE Act doesn’t define outcome of learning'

Before the RTE came into effect we conducted admissions through a draw of lots and four times the number of candidates to the number of seats were short-listed. The lottery was conducted in public and the parents were also satisfied with the system. Now, when we sent our criteria to the Directorate of Education on December 24, 2012, and the Directorate called us back on December 30. We made changes in the sub-categories in the sibling criteria in the last minute. This criteria has been valid for three years and all parents whose children have been studying at the school were suddenly introduced to a new criteria which lead to confusion. The main thing is that the working and functioning of the government schools should be improved. Chandigarh has excellent government schools and parents prefer sending their children to government schools rather than private ones.

Also, for the last eight years, no land has been allotted for new schools while pressure on existing facilities is increasing. In my school, the number of registrations has gone up by 1,000 in a single year.

The RTE also makes certain demands on schools. By March 31, more than 2,000 schools in the city may not qualify for recognition under the RTE as they may not have facilities as required under

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