The case of Sadiya Sheikh, who was denied admission under the RTE quota because neither of her parents had a school-leaving certificate, has led to the BMC taking flak from educationists and activists. Activists say they have complained time and again about parents being misguided by poorly informed people at the various guidance centres that were set up by BMC for RTE online admissions.

“We were specifically asked to submit a caste certificate and our school-leaving certificates at the time of submitting the application form by an official at the guidance centre. When we told them we don’t have either of the certificates, we were asked to apply to BMC schools instead,” said Zehrunisha Sheikh, Sadiya’s mother.