Private Schools shut door on Underpriviledged children

In a country where positive changes happen far and between decades of oppression, the fate of RTE act is no surprise.
In the backdrop of dissapproval of "rich parents" in letting their kids rub shoulders with the underpriviledged class in their own classrooms, private schools have refused to take in these poor kids in their schools in this session.
The excuse - "Our admission process is over".

My view -

Private schools in mumbai thrive on the bulging (read overflowing) purses of the upper-class and the rising middle-class of our society. Hefty donations sometimes even drown the hopes of sufficiently able parents of sending their kids to these "Education sharks".
In midst of all melee arrives the RTE act with a halo of righteousness. "Let there be light", it said. "Let every kid get education that he righfully deserves".
But did it actually say it or were my ears ringing?
I guess the latter is truer than the word itself. Neither Goverment officials (eg, TMC) not the common man has any clue of when will the magic wand of RTE spark the light via its implementation.

For centuries our land has been plagued with the divide over caste and class, creed and color. Basic amenities like water, food and shelter have been tossed aside to be marked and divided as per people's station in society. Schools and Gurukuls being the tool of acquiring the worldly knowledge, remained a priviledge of kings and landlords. Thus, education remained a pet of those with heavy purses.

We welcomed the new millenium with its Y2Ks and higher sensex and dowjones, but quality education in India was and still remains leashed by the rich.
One can argue that there are municipal schools for these poor children but that is not what I am talking about here.
For me, education, if there is a burning desire to get one, does not even wait for a classroom but I am contesting the attitude of these manicured classes of society.
What can be reasons behind private schools not taking in these children in? Let us see -
1. Late intimation to schools about RTE act - A blatant lie! They were duly informed a month prior to the start of their admission process
2. Donation loss - True. Government will bear the cost for these poor children. That will not include the donations.
3. Parents may have trouble accepting the fact that their kids have to share their school space with these poor children - True and Monstrous!!!
4. Government lacklustre attitude towards implementation of RTE - True and disappointing.

All of the above reasons can be helped. But the one that affects me the most is the parents' attitude. Though it is just a hearsay, but I am sure there is truth in it. My confidence comes from the knowldege of our country's past that reeks of castism and the dvide over land and wealth.
It is fool hardy to believe that the attitude of these people can be changed overnight (read decade)!
But we must start, and soon enough.

- Sharmishtha