Nagpur: Maharashtra Education and Cultural Affairs minister Vinod Tawde came under opposition fire in state assembly for mishandling the education affairs in the state and particularly the decision to close down schools in far off areas with fewer pupils.Oppostion leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil was very critical for inept handling of his portfolio.

Mr Patil said the Article 19F of the Constitution has provided the Right to Education and there was no justification of closing down Schools with inadequate number of students in particular School. Tawade has completely neglected the case of tribal and under privileged persons.

There are norms laid down for running schools at a particular distance for primary and secondary Schools. He cited the example of Melghat tribal who live in far off places and at scattered areas who can't afford schooling and instead of encouraging them the State was closing them down. Under the directives of rationalism of small Schools, no school can be closed.

Mr Patil said  Telengana  has launched a massive Save the Children programme and are imparting education and the education department was most controversial and deserves an award.