CHENNAI: AIADMK general secretary and former chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Friday urged the DMK government to immediately implement the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, which mandates that all private schools provide free education for students from economically backwards sections.

Pointing out that the RTE was implemented and fees for socially disadvantaged students were promptly allocated to private schools when the AIADMK government was in power, he claimed that educationists and parents were complaining that fees had not been allocated for the past two years. “In addition, the Madras High Court also asked the State government to reply as to why the government has not commenced the RTE admission this year till now,” he added.

Listing out various welfare measures that were implemented for the students participating in sports activities during his regime, the Leader of opposition further alleged that the DMK government has ‘wasted the tax money’ for conducting car races in the city.

Highlighting that the academicians have expressed concern over the ruling party’s claims of the Centre not releasing funds because the State rejected the National Education Policy (NEP), Palaniswami said that when it comes to RTE implementation, the State must release funds. “As always, the ruling party is playing the blame game,” he alleged.

He further said that the website to apply for private school admissions through RTE is not functional. “On behalf of the students and the parents, I urge the DMK government to implement the RTE admissions immediately,” he added.