Latest news with #RightofChildrentoFreeandCompulsoryEducation
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
DoE to start admissions for EWS students for Class 2 and above against vacant seats
The Directorate of Education (DOE) recently announced that it will initiate online admissions to fill vacant seats with students from the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and the Freeship category for classes 2 and above in private and unaided recognised schools running on DDA-allotted land. The Directorate of Education (DoE) has directed all District Deputy Directors (DDEs) to collect and update data on the current and expected vacancies across schools. The data will be verified with support from DDE Zone officials and Directorate of Education nominees. The DoE in a circular dated July 10, stated that as per the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, schools are under an obligation to admit children from weaker sections against 25% of the total seats in elementary classes. The DoE added that vacancies in higher classes need to be filled, and the Delhi High Court had allowed it to develop a mechanism to fill these vacant seats of the EWS category from Class 2 and above, as well. It stated that it had done so for the past three academic sessions.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Only 10% of RTE seats filled in DK this academic year
Mangaluru: The school education and literacy department in Dakshina Kannada has reported a poor response to the Right to Education Act (RTE) Act this academic year as well. Out of a total 326 seats available, only 31 seats were filled after the second round of allotment. The number of schools and seats under RTE has decreased, with 83 schools and 326 seats available under RTE. In the academic year 2024-25, a total of 408 RTE seats out of the allocated 457 seats remained vacant in Dakshina Kannada. Govinda Madivala, DDPI of Dakshina Kannada, said that so far only 31 students were admitted to unaided schools in Belthangady, Mangaluru South, Mangaluru North, and Moodbidri. Mangaluru South had half of the admissions with 15 candidates, followed by Mangaluru North (8), Belthangady (6), and Moodbidri (2). Currently, a total 295 out of 326 allotted seats remain vacant under RTE. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act 2009 mandated that private schools reserve 25% of their seats for children from economically disadvantaged families. During the initial implementation, the coastal district offered a total of 1,645 seats. "There are no takers this year as well. Only a few schools in selected wards had some takers," shared a caseworker. The official added that all those 31 seats taken belong to unaided schools in the four BEO limits. "There were more unaided schools last academic year, but they have been exempted from RTE as they have obtained minority education institution status. Parents are not interested in admitting their children into aided schools," said the caseworker, adding that there will not be another round of seat allotment. Another official added that RTE must do away with adding aided schools to the allotment list since there is only interest among the parents to admit their wards into unaided schools.
Hindustan Times
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Allahabad HC dismisses pleas against Uttar Pradesh govt's school merger order
In a major relief to the Uttar Pradesh government, the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court on Monday dismissed both the writ petitions challenging the state government's June 16 order for the merger of government-run primary schools and upper primary schools. The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court began hearing the case on July 3. (FILE PHOTO) The court asserted that pairing (merger) of schools does not violate Article 21A of the Constitution. Article 21A guarantees the right to education as a fundamental right for children between the ages of 6 and 14 years. A single judge bench of Justice Pankaj Bhatia passed the order on Monday, observing: 'The mandate of Article 21A of Constitution cannot be presumed to be decided to hold that the free and compulsory education to the children in between the age of six and fourteen years have to be provided by the State within a distance of 1 km, as is being argued.' The court added that just because the distance of the educational institutions after the merger would result in the school being established at a distance of more than one kilometre from a population of 300, the argument of the petitioners that it would be a violation of rights conferred under Article 21A of the Constitution, cannot be justified. Elaborating on the issue, the court pointed out that the duty to establish a school within one km has to be interpreted in a manner that it does not become absolutely unworkable and in the present case, the distances range from one km to approximately 2- 2.5 km. The court observed that the rules are applicable throughout the state from rural areas to semi-urban areas and to urban areas where there are limitations of the availability of land and other resources. 'The approximate population of the state is 24 crore and if the arguments of the petitioner are to be accepted that for every 300 inhabitants one school should be available at a distance of 1 km, the state will have to provide for about 8 lakh schools,' the court said. The high court added that literal interpretation of Rule 4(1)(a) of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, would render the entire rule to be an absurdity. Rule 4(1)(a) of RTE Act, 2009, pertains to the admission of children into age-appropriate classes. Specifically, it addresses situations where a child over six years old has not been admitted to school or has dropped out. This rule ensures such children are admitted to a class that matches their age, enabling them to continue their elementary education. The rule is to be interpreted adopting the principles of interpretation so as to make it workable and not a dead letter, the court said. 'A purposive interpretation of the rule is required which mandates that the same must be construed in a manner that advances the object and purpose for which it was enacted,' the court observed. The court also pointed out that it is the duty of the state government to establish schools at a distance which is closest to the habitation and in case it is not possible then the government must provide transportation facilities. Interpretation of a rule should be done keeping in consideration the fact that Uttar Pradesh is a large state, availability of land and other resources, including financial, pointed out by the court. The court added that the government is bound to establish a school on the nearest possible place from a habitation and, in absence, it is obliged to ensure transportation facilities. The court pointed out that the neighbourhood schools would also include other than government schools. 'The obligation cast upon the State shall be scrupulously followed and the State is bound to ensure that no child is left out because of any action taken by the State,' the court said. 'It will be the duty of the Basic Shiksha Adhikari to ensure that no child is left out for being educated and all steps as are necessary shall be taken as and when required in accordance with law,' the court said. The case Fifty-one students from Sitapur – 50 from a primary school and one from the upper primary section – approached the high court challenging the June 16 order of the state government for the merger of primary schools across Uttar Pradesh. They moved the court through their guardian. A separate petition was filed by another primary student through his mother. The court clubbed both the petitions and delivered the common judgment. The petitioners opposed the merger of schools, stating that it will cause difficulties for children who will have to travel farther to reach their new schools, affecting their right to free and compulsory education. Additional advocate general (AAG) Anuj Kudesia and chief standing counsel (CSC) Shailendra Kumar Singh presented the state government's views in court. Senior advocate LP Mishra appeared on behalf of the petitioners.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Underprivileged students face barriers in accessing RTE seats in private schools
Visakhapatnam: Parents of M Krishna (name changed) approached a popular school in an education chain, which has branches across the state, after their son was allocated a free seat under the 25% quota reserved for the underprivileged under the RTE Act. The school has asked them to pay Rs 8,500 as 'online charges', which goes against the very purpose of the seat allocation. Another popular school in Dwaraka Nagar area of Visakhapatnam conducted an hour-long counselling session with parents to convince them why their children do not fit into their system of 'elite schooling'. Some schools are demanding income certificates and other unnecessary documents, despite these students being allocated seats only through online verification. These students are among nearly 31,700 pupils who have been allocated free seats by the Andhra Pradesh education department in private unaided schools for the 2025-26 academic year in two phases. The provision of free education in private schools is mandated under Section 12 (1) of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009. According to this section, private unaided schools must admit children belonging to disadvantaged groups and economically weaker sections to the extent of at least 25 per cent of the strength of Class I or below. However, several schools are refusing to honour these provisions. Some schools are demanding full or part tuition fees from students who secured free seats, while others are causing unnecessary delays for parents. The lack of confirmation of enrolment is adding to the anxiety of parents as the new academic year approaches. A group of parents recently had to protest in front of a private school in Visakhapatnam when the school denied admission under the RTE Act. On the other hand, private schools are claiming that the fee structure should have been fixed even before the enrolment of the students. N Koteswara Rao, a parent from Visakhapatnam, said he was allocated a seat in a private school in MVP Colony. "But when I approached the school, they demanded different documents and conducted counselling sessions with parents, ultimately dissuading them from enrolling their wards there. It seems the school is not interested in admitting children from underprivileged sections," said Rao. Andhra Pradesh Private Unaided Schools Management Association regional president MV Rao said there is no clarity on how much fee will be fixed by the government. "Last time, Rs 8,500 was fixed for urban areas and Rs 6,500 for rural areas, which hardly covers the expenditure incurred by the private schools. Even during the best available schools' programme time, which preceded these RTE quota admissions, private schools used to receive Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 per student admitted. We are requesting the government to allocate at least half of what they spend on each student at government schools, which is almost Rs 70,000 to Rs 80,000. In fact, we have not received any reimbursement or fees for students admitted under the RTE Act in the last three years," said Rao. When asked why certain schools are demanding documents such as income certificates, Rao said there have been instances where people arrived in cars to enrol their wards in private schools under free seats allocated by the RTE Act. "Some schools are even receiving more allotments than their allotted 25% seat quota under the RTE free seat scheme," said Rao. DEFEATING THE PURPOSE Applications for Class 1 admissions were accepted from May 2 to 19 A total of 37,427 children registered for admission After verification, 28,561 children were found eligible In the first phase lottery, 23,118 students were allotted seats Of those allotted seats in the first phase, 15,541 students joined the schools In the recent second phase lottery, 8,583 students were allotted seats The deadline for second phase admissions is July 2 For further information on RTE admissions, parents can contact toll-free number 1800 425 8599 Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
Hans India
30-06-2025
- General
- Hans India
8,583 students selected for free admissions in pvt schools
Vijayawada: Asper the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, Section 12(1)(c), 25 per cent seats in private unaided schools are reserved for free admissions to children from disadvantaged and weaker sections. For the academic year 2025-26, as part of the second phase lottery results, 8,583 students have been selected for free admissions in private schools, stated B Srinivasa Rao, State Project Director, Samagra Shiksha. The parents or guardians of the allotted students must visit the respective schools along with necessary verification documents to confirm the admissions from June 21 to 28. However, in view of requests from parents and officials, the deadline has now been extended till July 2, 2025 for admission confirmation. The details of selected students have been sent via SMS to the registered mobile numbers of parents and are also available on the official website: For further information, the toll-free number 1800 425 8599 can be contacted. Project Director Srinivasa Rao has made it clear that admissions must not be denied by the managements. He said all concerned private school managements are instructed to verify the submitted documents and confirm the admissions accordingly. Denial of admission without valid reason will invite departmental action. These admissions will be confirmed through logins specially assigned to the Additional Project Coordinators (APCs) of Samagra Shiksha at the district level. In case of any queries, school managements may contact the respective MEOs, DEOs or RJDs.
