Telangana to implement 25% RTE quota for EWS children in private schools: Report

The Telangana government has planned to implement 25% reservation for children from economically weaker sections (EWS) and disadvantaged groups in private schools under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, the TOI reported.

R Naveen Nicolas, director at Telangana school education , reportedly travelled to Delhi and assured the commission that the state would implement the Supreme Court’s directions, the report read.

The announcement comes ahead of the hearing at the apex court on October 27, when the court has directed the NCPCR chairperson and director to appear in person and provide an update on implementation, it added.

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SC seeks accountability over RTE implementation

“The Supreme Court, on September 29, expressed dissatisfaction with the NCPCR's response to the implementation of Section 12(1)(c) of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009,” the report read.

Section 12 (1) (c) requires private unaided schools to reserve at least 25% of entry-level seats for children belonging to weaker sections and disadvantaged groups, it added.

The provision aims to improve access to school education for children from economically and socially disadvantaged backgrounds, it said.

Furthermore, the court also stated that the statutory provision must be implemented effectively and Telangana's proposed implementation framework has considered a targeted approach to admissions under the quota, it read.

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Govt maps 50 rural habitations for schools

The framework would give priority to identified areas without a government or local body school within a one-kilometer radius, it said. The government has initially mapped 50 rural habitations and 46 urban colonies for this purpose, it added.

As per the eligibility, the reservation covers children from economically weaker sections and notified disadvantaged groups, it said.

Eligible families would need to provide the prescribed income, caste, disability or other applicable certificates. Admissions under the RTE quota are intended to follow a transparent process without student interviews or entrance tests, it said.