Free admission for economically weaker sections and disadvantaged groups

Although the central and state governments pass many rules to protect the rights of the citizens of the country, the common man often does not get the benefits of these laws. The main reason for this is the ignorance of the civil society about the rights. Taking advantage of this ignorance, many government and private institutions continue to deny the rights of the people. Many of the provisions of the Right to Education Act passed by the central government were not implemented in the country. These are implemented only when those who are aware of the law approach the court for this and get an order. By then, thousands will have lost the benefits.

The Supreme Court's verdict to ensure 25 percent free admission in private schools to the children of the disadvantaged and economically weaker sections of society is based on the provisions of the Right to Education Act. This verdict is a great relief to the weaker sections of the country and is very commendable. The Supreme Court has directed the Central Government to frame the necessary rules for this. The Right to Education Act mandates that 25 percent of the seats in primary and upper primary classes in private unaided and special category schools should be reserved for free education for the children from economically weaker sections and disadvantaged groups. The bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and A.S. Chandurkar observed that the state governments and local bodies have the responsibility to ensure this and that the school admission of poor students should be taken up as a national mission.

The school owners can recover the cost of allowing free admission in this way from the government. Parents of disadvantaged sections in Maharashtra approached the Supreme Court alleging that their children were denied admission to private schools under the 25 percent quota for free education. If the Supreme Court had not issued this order, this provision of the Right to Education Act, which is very beneficial for the disadvantaged categories, would have remained frozen for many years. The owners of private schools in the country have a lot of influence and money. Therefore, the rules for its implementation must be made carefully and without errors.

There may be many more powerplays from private unaided institutions to deny this right. Therefore, those belonging to the disadvantaged categories who approach them for admission should be more aware of the law. The weaker sections will get the benefits of this only if there is a situation where the school that denies them admission that should be given fairly will lose its recognition. Even the economically weaker people send their children to private unaided schools by paying heavy fees, believing that they will get a better education. The financial relief they will get through this order of the Supreme Court is not small. State governments should also ensure that the committee that formulates the rules for this includes members of the disadvantaged categories.