It appears that the education minister in the state needs to study the Right To Education Act more closely.

Vinod Tawde's statement on Thursday, that the government would not reimburse fees of students admitted under the 25% RTE quota in pre-primary sections, has sparked confusion among schools and parents. For, the RTE Act clearly states that the 25% quota should be filled at a school's entry level, which could be pre-primary or Standard I. So the question arises: who will pay the fees of RTE students in pre-primary?

Meanwhile, on Friday, school principals from Panvel met Tawde, seeking revocation of a government resolution issued in January, which according to their interpretation states that they will have to keep aside 25% seats under the RTE quota in pre-primary as well as Standard I.

The principals have submitted a letter (copy with dna) to the minister in this regard, stating that theyir schools do not have the infrastructure or the budget to take an additional load in Std I once RTE admissions have already been granted in pre-primary. The letter also states that the institutes are wholeheartedly implementing RTE stipulations, but the GR issued in January is creating difficulties for them, and needs rectification.

K Narayan, secretary of Anudanit Shiksha Bachchao Samiti NGO, said, "Tawde's statement that the state will not compensate for children admitted under RTE in pre-primary will definitely put parents from economically weaker sections in a dilemma. He is creating confusion and we will take him to court."The organisation helps parents get admissions under RTE.

Avisha Kulkarni, president of School Parents Forum, said, "How could Minister Tawde say RTE entry level can be decided by schools when section 12C of the Act categorically states: "Where a school imparts preschool education, the provisions will apply there.

Tawde cannot amend the Act. He also said that state will not reimburse for pre-primary admissions when section 7 of the act says that the centre and the state have concurrent responsibility to provide funds to implement the provision of the act."

Vijay Kanojia, state general secretary, Mumbai Pradesh Youth Congress, "With reports that the state would not reimburse schools for pre-primary admissions under RTE, one of south Mumbai's schools refused RTE admission to a child in the pre-primary section. Reading out Tawde's statement, the school informed the parent that there was a stay on RTE admissions in pre-primary, and asked them to check with the education department."

Despite repeated attempts to get in touch with education minister Vinod Tawde, he remained unavailable for comment.