Worried over reports about children admitted under economically weaker section quota being insulted by private schools, the national child rights body has asked States to withhold recognition of institutions found guilty of discriminating against such students.

Code of conduct

In a letter to Chief Secretaries of all the States, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) also recommended formulation of a code of conduct for private schools and punitive action against them if the provisions are violated.

Under the Right to Education Act (RTE), 25 per cent of seats in private schools are reserved for students belonging to economically weaker sections.

“The matter of discrimination in private schools has come to light in recent times. These acts include punishing children for not wearing proper uniforms or being untidy, making them sit separately, seeking to distinguish them from others by cutting their hair and not involving them in co-curricular activities.

“In the letters addressed to all State Chief Secretaries and Secretary Education, the Commission has asked to restore the dignity of children who have been guaranteed their right to education in private schools under the RTE Act,” an NCPCR statement said.

On Wednesday, the NCPCR had issued a notice to Karnataka Education Secretary asking him to submit a report within a week on allegations that four Class I students of a prominent Bangalore school were humiliated after authorities allegedly cut off tufts of their hair.

The NCPCR has asked States to formulate rules and a code of conduct that has to be followed stringently by private schools and management.

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