On Wednesday, the Central Government called upon various state governments to fully implement the provisions of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, which mandates that 25 percent of seats in private unaided schools be reserved for children from economically weaker sections. The appeal came in response to ongoing non-compliance by several states, including Punjab, Kerala, Telangana, and West Bengal.


Minister of State for Education, Jayant Chaudhary, addressed the Rajya Sabha during the Question Hour, highlighting that these states have yet to enforce the RTE’s seat reservation provisions. This lack of implementation is a significant concern, as the RTE Act was designed to ensure equitable access to education for all children, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds.

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, in response to a query from Congress leader Pramod Tiwary, emphasized the collaborative role of both the Central and state governments in the education sector, which falls under the concurrent list. Pradhan pointed out that while enrollment rates in Class 1 have nearly reached 100 percent due to collective state efforts, the retention rate decreases as students progress through subsequent grades. He stressed that maintaining educational engagement through to Class 12 requires active and continuous efforts from state governments.

Pradhan acknowledged the RTE Act’s provision for reserving 25 percent of seats for underprivileged children and urged states to implement this provision effectively. He stated, “Though education is under the concurrent list, the responsibility for school education largely rests with state governments. RTE and the National Education Policy (NEP) complement each other. All stakeholders must work together to ensure universal education till Class 12.”

The Minister further explained that the RTE Act, introduced by the previous government, was intended to facilitate educational access for economically disadvantaged children. He expressed disappointment that some states, such as Punjab, Kerala, Telangana, and West Bengal, have not adhered to this crucial provision. The Punjab government, now under Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) rule, has reportedly argued that it has a sufficient number of government schools and thus does not need to implement the RTE’s 25 percent quota in private schools.

Vikramjit Singh Sahney of the AAP, an educationist and social worker, also inquired about the steps being taken to regulate higher education fees. Sahney raised concerns about the exorbitant costs associated with education, estimating that parents may spend between Rs 25 lakh to 30 lakh on their child’s education from "KG to PG." In response, Chaudhary acknowledged the issue and reiterated that education is a concurrent subject, meaning both the Centre and state governments have roles to play. He noted that while several states have introduced policies to regulate fees, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has deregulated most higher education streams, except medical education.

Chaudhary also highlighted the increase in education budget allocations, stating that the budget has grown from Rs 68,000 crore in 2014 to Rs 1.20 lakh crore in the current fiscal year. This boost reflects the Centre's commitment to enhancing educational infrastructure and accessibility.

Addressing another concern raised by Swati Maliwal of the AAP, who highlighted the high costs of uniforms and books imposed by private schools, Pradhan acknowledged the issue of profiteering by private institutions. He emphasized that regulating such practices falls under the jurisdiction of state governments. However, he assured that the Central government supports any action taken by states to address these concerns and prevent exploitation.

In summary, the Central government’s appeal underscores the urgent need for states to comply with RTE provisions to ensure that all children, especially those from economically weaker sections, have access to quality education. The ongoing challenges in fee regulation and the implementation of educational policies reflect broader issues within the education sector that require coordinated efforts from both state and national authorities.

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