Answer

The Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009 mandates 25% reservation in private unaided schools at the entry level for children from Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and Disadvantaged Groups (DG). While aimed at promoting social inclusion, it has faced resistance from private institutions due to financial and operational concerns.

Impact of Quota in Private Schools under RTE Act 2009

• Limited Reach in Urban Private Schools: Elite and high-fee schools often avoid implementing the RTE quota, restricting access for the poorest.
  Eg. Decline in Karnataka’s implementation of the Right to Education (RTE) Act between  2019-25, with entry-level admissions dropping by 98 % .
• Seat Utilization Imbalance: Many RTE seats go unfilled due to parental school preferences or lack of access to English-medium institutions.
  Eg., More than 9,000 RTE seats remained vacant in 2025 in  Gujarat, including 5,263 in English-medium schools.
• Socioeconomic Disparities in Benefit: Children from upper segments of the eligible group benefit more than the poorest.
  Eg. Only 7.4% of beneficiaries belong to the lowest-income quintile, while 24.3% are from the top of the eligible group.
• Admission Process Issues: Duplicate, incomplete, or ineligible applications hinder the timely allocation of RTE seats.
• School Reluctance and Discrimination: RTE students often face hidden costs or social discrimination within classrooms.
  Eg. A 2023 Hindustan Times survey in Mumbai found that 92% of RTE parents were charged extra fees for uniforms or books, even when the Act requires these to be free.
• State-Level Exemptions Weakening Policy: Some states exempt private schools from RTE if a government school is nearby, reducing coverage.
  Eg. Karnataka, Kerala, and Maharashtra exempt schools within 1 km of aided schools, excluding many private institutions.
• Financial Delays Impact Quality: Delayed reimbursements weaken private school willingness to admit RTE students.
  Eg. Tamil Nadu had ₹617 crore in pending RTE dues, affecting access for over 80,000 students.

Measures to Improve Equity in Indian Education System

• Enforce Mandatory Quota Compliance: Strengthening enforcement mechanisms ensures all private schools follow the 25% quota provision.
  Eg. Delhi’s Directorate of Education penalized schools violating RTE norms, improving compliance through audits.
• Reimburse Schools Timely: Quick and full reimbursement to private schools sustains their capacity to serve RTE students.
• Promote Online Application Awareness: Awareness campaigns can help poor families understand and access RTE quotas.
• Monitor and Penalize Discrimination: Legal and institutional mechanisms must address discrimination against RTE students.
  Eg. The Bombay High Court directed action against Maharashtra schools for refusing RTE admissions.
• Improve Admission Transparency: Use digital tools and public lotteries for transparent seat allotment.
  Eg. Madhya Pradesh’s online lottery system helped place 72,812 children out of 83,483 applicants under RTE.
• Avoid Exemptions from Quota: Uniform national policy must prevent arbitrary state exemptions that dilute the RTE mandate.
• Integrate RTE with Quality Standards: Link RTE reimbursements to improved infrastructure and learning outcomes.
  Eg. ASER 2024 showed only 72% of schools had usable girls’ toilets, reflecting urgent quality gaps needing attention.

While the RTE quota has enabled access for millions, it suffers from partial enforcement, funding gaps, and social barriers. To realize its full potential, India must ensure timely reimbursements, prevent discriminatory practices, and link access with quality education, especially for its most disadvantaged children.

DOWNLOAD PDF