Mathrubhumi: Kollam: Wednesday,
11 December 2024.
In a major move towards
ensuring transparency in self-financing educational institutions, the Kerala State
Information Commissioner, Dr S Sreekumar, has ruled that these institutions
must follow the Right to Information (RTI) Act. This order clarifies that
self-financing schools and colleges are required to provide information to the
public, just like government institutions, under the RTI Act. The institutions have
also been directed to appoint designated RTI officers immediately.
Student’s appeal for information
The ruling came in response to an appeal filed by a student named Ancy, who had sought information from CSI Teacher Training Institute (TTI), a self-financing institution in Amaravila, Thiruvananthapuram. Ancy requested the copy of the TTI certificate register and admission records under the RTI Act. However, the institution had denied the request, citing that, being a self-financed entity, it was not bound by the RTI Act.
RTI Commission's ruling
The RTI Commission rejected this argument. The commission also ordered that the information requested by the student be provided within 15 days.
According to the commission, self-financing institutions operate under government authorisation. They are allowed to function based on laws passed by the legislature and are issued government-approved certificates. While the government does not pay staff salaries, these institutions still benefit from government resources, including free electricity and water. In this context, self-financing institutions will be regarded as public institutions.
Student’s appeal for information
The ruling came in response to an appeal filed by a student named Ancy, who had sought information from CSI Teacher Training Institute (TTI), a self-financing institution in Amaravila, Thiruvananthapuram. Ancy requested the copy of the TTI certificate register and admission records under the RTI Act. However, the institution had denied the request, citing that, being a self-financed entity, it was not bound by the RTI Act.
RTI Commission's ruling
The RTI Commission rejected this argument. The commission also ordered that the information requested by the student be provided within 15 days.
According to the commission, self-financing institutions operate under government authorisation. They are allowed to function based on laws passed by the legislature and are issued government-approved certificates. While the government does not pay staff salaries, these institutions still benefit from government resources, including free electricity and water. In this context, self-financing institutions will be regarded as public institutions.
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