Will take strict action against schools violating Plus One admission rules: General education minister V Sivankutty

T'puram: General education ministerV Sivankutty warned of strict action against aided and unaided school managementsthat flout the norms set by the govt for admission to Plus One seats. The minister said a five-member committee led by the respective school principal should coordinate the admission procedure and strictly comply with the reservation norms.Sivankutty said several management schools already started admitting students.Such schools are supposed to fill 40% of their Plus One seats from the merit quota. They are also supposed to set aside 12% of seats for SC candidates and 8% for ST candidates. Thus, they are eligible to fill only 40% of Plus One seats under the management quota. The unfilled seats earmarked for SC/ST categories should be used to admit students from the merit quota. Any violations in this regard would invite strict action from the govt, the minister said.Sivankutty added that he received complaints against PTAs in several schools that demand large amounts as donations for admission. Sivankutty said the govt already published the maximum amount the PTAs can collect from students seeking school admission. All school authorities should strictly follow the rules and guidelines to avoid action from the govt."The education department will take strict action against schools that demand unreasonable amounts of money for admission. People should bring such demands to the notice of the govt," he said. The highest contribution to the PTA is Rs 100 in high schools. The govt was willing to consider a justifiable revision of the contribution amount, but PTAs are supposed to stick to the existing guidelines this year, he said.