BANGALORE: "We knew this was not going to work. Forget free education, our children are not treated well even after we pay a huge sum of our hard-earned money to these

as tuition fees," cried Catherine H, a resident of Ambedkarnagar slum in Frazer town and the mother of six-year-old Vishal, whose admission form was rejected by one of the private schools in the city.

It was a distressful day for many parents on Thursday after St Aloysius High School in Frazer Town, a minority-aided institution, rejected all applications received from the slum dwellers of Ambedkarnagar slum. Seven children, who submitted the form to seek admission under the RTE quota, returned empty-handed. The school features on the list of the institutions that come under the purview of RTE.

"We had doubts since day one. When people are not accepting us before the admission, what will happen over the period of eight years?" asked Sarvana R, another parent from the slum.

The admission

were submitted on Tuesday morning, but all applications stand rejected on Thursday, as the school cited its minority status for denying the entry.

"When we went to the school today to know the status of our admission forms, the headmistress informed us that all applications have been rejected. She said that she had not received the orders, and that being a minority institution, they won't accept applications," said Yasir Ahmed, a social worker, coordinating the process.

When contacted, the school authorities chose to keep mum over the issue. "I have no prior information. Nobody came to me for admission," said Fr Martin Anthony, principal, St Aloysius High School.

Reach out to BEOs

According to Ashwath Narayan Gowda, Block

, North 3, it's not only St Aloysius High School, but many schools in the city stand accused of flouting the RTE rules. "We have received many complaints of this nature. Necessary action will be initiated against these schools if needed. But as far as the admission forms are concerned, parents can submit them to the BEOs of the respective areas. We will forward the forms to the respective schools, starting May 26," said Ashwath Narayan Gowda.

Strike comes in way

With the last day to submit the admission forms being May 25, parents are finding it difficult to get the caste and income certificates from the Nemmadi centres which are on strike. We went to get the income and caste certificates to be submitted with the admission form but could not get them owing to the strike. Yet, we will go ahead and submit the admission forms," said Geeta S, a parent.

On their part, BEOs have instructed schools not to reject application forms for want of caste certificate.