RTE admissions to start from Feb 15

MUMBAI: Confusion surrounding admissions as per the Right to Education (RTE) Act might get worse with the education department's latest announcement. After some flip-flops, the director of primary education has announced that the entry-level admissions will start across the state on February 15.

Mahavir Mane, director of primary education in the state, told TOI on Monday, "We are issuing a notification next month about the start of RTE admission. It will start from February 15. In Mumbai and Pune, we will conduct admissions online on a trial basis." He said schools will get a clear picture once they receive the circular.

In December, the education department had sent a circular to schools, making it clear that they should not conduct entry-level admission before April 2014. The department had also stated that schools will have to conduct RTE admissions online as per the schedule given by the education department. But this circular was cancelled immediately and it was announced that online admissions will take place for the 2015-16 session.

"This time, online admissions will be conducted on a trial basis only, so schools shouldn't worry," added Mane. But officials from the Mumbai division education department said conducting online admissions this year won't be possible because of lack of training and non-availability of officers.