Less than 30 per cent private school seats reserved under RTE

New Delhi, March 25: Less than 30 per cent of the seats earmarked for disadvantaged students in private schools under the RTE norm has been filled up, said a study released today, seeking well-defined rules to ensure effective implementation of the law.

It said that out of 21,40,287 seats in private schools across the counry, only 29 per cent of the seats have been filled up by schools. The worst performing state is Uttar Pradesh where just three per cent of 5,84,949 seats have been filled up.

The scenario is more dismal in Andhra Pradesh with only 0.2 per cent of 1,72,239 seats have been filled up. Rajasthan has done comparatevely better where 69 per cent of the 2,26,583 seats earmarked for such students have been filled up, the report said, analysing the data of District Information System for Education (DISE) 2013-14.

The report was prepared collectively by IIM, Ahmedabad, Central Square Foundation, Accountability Initiative and Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy. As per the Right To Education Act, enacted five years back, 25 percent reservation have been provided for disadvantaged students in private schools.

However, schools have come in for criticism for ineffective implemntation of this rule. "The number of students who have secured admission in private schools under the 25 percent reservation provision is extremely low.

Even after 5 years of RTE, state rules and notifications of this provision are not clearly defined, leading to ineffective implementation across states. If implemented effectively, this policy can provide opportunities to 1.6 crore children across India," CEO of Central Square Foundation Ashish Dhawan said today at the release of the report.

Notifying income limit has been suggested as one of the areas to be addressed so that students of weaker sections can actually benefit from the 25 per cent reservation.

PTI