The Centre has reiterated that private unaided schools are required to reserve at least 25% of entry-level seats for children belonging to weaker sections and disadvantaged groups under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009.
Responding to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary said Section 12(1)(c) of the RTE Act mandates private unaided schools to provide admission to children from weaker sections and disadvantaged groups to the extent of at least 25% of seats at the entry level.
The provision also requires schools to provide free and compulsory elementary education to these children until completion, the minister said.
The Centre also reiterated that Section 13 of the RTE Act prohibits the collection of capitation fee.
The government clarified that regulation of private-school fees, however, falls primarily under the jurisdiction of respective state governments and Union Territory administrations, as education is a subject in the Concurrent List of the Constitution.
Accordingly, rules relating to fees charged by private schools, safeguards for students and parents, and action against schools violating applicable regulations are determined by the respective states and UTs.
For schools affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), the board’s bye-laws also regulate aspects of fee structures. Fee revisions require approval from the School Management Committee or must follow the process prescribed by the appropriate government.
The CBSE also has guidelines aimed at preventing schools from imposing additional financial burdens on parents. Schools cannot compel students to purchase books, uniforms or stationery from specific vendors.
The government’s response comes amid continuing concerns around the affordability of private-school education and the implementation of provisions intended to protect students and parents.
Key provisions reiterated by the Centre:
- 25% reservation: Private unaided schools must reserve at least 25% of entry-level seats for children from weaker sections and disadvantaged groups under Section 12(1)(c) of the RTE Act.
- Free education: Children admitted under the provision are entitled to free and compulsory elementary education until its completion.
- No capitation fee: Section 13 of the RTE Act prohibits schools from collecting capitation fees.
State-level fee regulation: Regulation of fees charged by private schools primarily falls under respective state governments and UT administrations. - CBSE safeguards: CBSE-affiliated schools must follow prescribed procedures for fee revisions and cannot force parents to buy books, uniforms or stationery from specified vendors.
