Panvel: In a crackdown on the misuse of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, the Group Education Officer of Panvel, Sitaram Mohite, has ordered the cancellation of admissions for 23 students in two prominent Kharghar schools. The affected schools are Vishwajyot School (13 students) and Ramsheth Thakur School (10 students).
The controversy emerged after doubts were raised regarding the residential addresses of certain students admitted under the RTE Act for the academic year 2025-26. The admissions had been processed based on documents submitted by parents through the RTE portal. However, investigations revealed that many students did not reside at the addresses listed in their online applications.
The verification committee found that some parents had submitted fraudulent proof of residence to secure a spot under the 25% RTE quota, leading to the decision to cancel the admissions. Following complaints from parents and schools, the education department launched an inquiry, which concluded that these students were not eligible for admission.
On April 17, Education Officer Sitaram Mohite directed the District Education Officer to initiate the necessary procedures to cancel the affected admissions on the RTE portal.
Widespread Misuse of RTE in Kharghar
This incident highlights a larger issue in Kharghar, where many families from outside the area are exploiting local addresses to secure RTE admissions. In some cases, fake rent agreements were used as proof of residence to qualify for the RTE quota.
The desire to enroll children in well-regarded Kharghar schools has led to the proliferation of these fraudulent practices, undermining the very purpose of the RTE Act.
RTE Misuse Extends to Wealthy Families
Surprisingly, the misuse of the RTE system is not limited to low-income families. Even wealthy parents, including entrepreneurs and senior professionals, are seeking RTE benefits for their children. Several political figures from the Panvel area have reportedly facilitated such RTE admissions for their associates.
The education department has confirmed that investigations are ongoing, and the verification process is underway at other schools in the region. Authorities are committed to addressing this issue and ensuring that the RTE Act is implemented fairly and transparently.
