Chennai: Private school associations in the state have raised objections to Tamil Nadu govt’s mandate to refund the fee collected from children eligible for admissions under the Right to Education Act (RTE).

This follows the govt’s announcement on Thursday to commence this year’s RTE admissions from Oct 6, choosing students from those who are already admitted in the entry-level classes. A 10-day online window has been opened to regularize such children, who were already admitted in schools.

“The govt is not inviting fresh applications this year. It is merely asking us to shift already admitted students to the RTE quota. But we collected the tuition fee, provided uniforms, books, and other essentials to these students. Refunding this amount to each and every student would put an unnecessary financial burden on schools. To avoid this, the govt must revoke this order and open fresh applications under the Act,” K Palaniyappan, general secretary, All India Private Educational Institutions Association, told TOI.

The Federation of Private Schools Associations said there was no assurance from the govt on when it would reimburse the fee, if refunded to students.

“Schools must refund the fee paid by parents of RTE-eligible children. But when will the govt reimburse the amount to schools? In one year? In two years? There is no assurance…,” it said.

An official from the school education department said that the govt only came out with the best option at the given time, especially when a quarter of the school term was completed. He denied claims that about 1 lakh students were waiting in line for admissions under RTE this year.